How to Love People You Don't Like: A Biblical Perspective

How to Love People You Don't Like: A Biblical Perspective

Let's be honest, we all struggle to love certain people at times. We may find ourselves irritated, frustrated, or even angry with them. It may be their personality, their actions, or the way they treat us that makes it difficult to love them. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to love even those we don't like. But how can we do this?

In this article, we will explore a biblical perspective on how to love people you don't like. We will look at examples from the Bible, practical steps we can take, and the importance of relying on God's grace to help us love others.

Examples from the Bible

The Bible is full of examples of people who loved others despite their differences or disagreements. One example is the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37-50. Joseph's brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. However, years later, when they were in need, Joseph forgave them and provided for them. He said, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20)

Another example is Jesus himself, who loved and forgave those who persecuted him. In Luke 23:34, as he was being crucified, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

These examples show us that even when we are mistreated or disliked by others, we can choose to love them and forgive them, just as Christ loved and forgave us.

Practical Steps

While it may not always be easy, there are practical steps we can take to love people we don't like:

1. Choose to love

Loving someone is a choice, not just a feeling. We can choose to treat others with kindness, respect, and patience, even when we don't feel like it. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

2. Look for common ground

While we may not agree with everything someone says or does, we can look for common ground and focus on what we have in common. In Philippians 2:2, Paul wrote, "Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."

3. Pray for them

Prayer is a powerful tool that can help us love others. We can pray for those we struggle to love, asking God to give us the ability to see them as he sees them and to love them as he loves them. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul wrote, "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people."

4. Serve them

Jesus showed us the ultimate example of love by serving others. We can follow his example by serving those we struggle to love. In Mark 10:45, Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

5. Set boundaries

While we are called to love others, that doesn't mean we have to tolerate abusive behavior or put ourselves in harmful situations. We can set healthy boundaries for ourselves and communicate them to others in a loving and respectful way. In Proverbs 4:23, Solomon wrote, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Reliance on God's Grace

Ultimately, loving others, especially those we don't like, is only possible through God's grace. We cannot do it on our own. We need to rely on God's strength and ask for his help in loving others. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul wrote, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

When we feel weak or unable to love others, we can turn to God and ask for his grace to help us. We can trust that he will give us the strength and love we need to love others, even when it's difficult.

Conclusion

Loving people we don't like is not easy, but it is possible. As followers of Christ, we are called to love and forgive others, just as Christ loved and forgave us. We can take practical steps, such as choosing to love, looking for common ground, praying for them, serving them, and setting boundaries. And we can rely on God's grace to help us love others, even when it's hard.

Let us strive to love others, even those we don't like, as Christ loved us.

References:

• Genesis 37-50


• Luke 23:34


• Matthew 5:44


• Philippians 2:2


• 1 Timothy 2:1-2


• Mark 10:45


• Proverbs 4:23


• 2 Corinthians 12:9