Simple
Scripture selection: Luke 10:25
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
It was a complicated question. An expert in the law asked the secret to obtaining eternal life.
Jesus gave a simple answer: love God and love others.
That is, he gave what appears to be a simple answer.
In fact, it is one of the most difficult things we can do.
Life in all its complexities; human nature being what it is; the world’s contradicting demands what they are – I think many of us would say this instruction to love isn’t always “easily” done.
On the other hand, maybe we complicate things too much.
Jesus calls us to love as we have been loved. No rationalization will do; no excuses – we are simply to show that we love God (who loves us so much) by putting our needs and desires in proper perspective to the needs and desires of others.
Love our enemy? It’s anything but easy.
Jesus doesn’t let us off the hook though.
So, simple or not, there it is – the challenge of discipleship.
The next time you struggle with it, I would remind you of how much God loves you, and how often God has shown you his mercy, even when you were completely in the wrong.
Then think of the situation – the person with whom – you are in conflict, remembering God loves that person just as much as God loves you.
Maybe it will simplify things a bit.