“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

In life, it is easy to love those who agree with us and support our beliefs. When we surround ourselves with like-minded individuals, we feel comfortable and at ease. However, when we encounter someone with opposing views, we may feel defensive, which can lead to conflict.

As Christians, how are we supposed to handle these kinds of situations? We are called to love everyone, but sometimes, it is easier said than done. This is especially true when we have been hurt by someone else.

Luke 6:27 says, “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.” This may seem backwards, but as followers of Christ, it is what we are called to do. Rather than seeking revenge with harsh words, we can rise above and show love.

Jesus gave us the perfect example of what it means to choose love, even when it seems to not make sense. After all, He died for our sins so that we might have eternal life, even though He was innocent. Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

Throughout our lives, we will encounter people who are hard to love. Whether they have hurt us with their words or simply disagree with us, it is tempting to deem them as “unlovable.” However, when we do this, we fail to acknowledge that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We are all seen as equal in God’s eyes. Therefore, we should never think that we are above anyone else.

When we are having a hard time loving others, we can remember the sacrifice Christ made for us. In addition, we can call upon His strength when facing difficulties. When we ask for wisdom, God will come through and empower us to show Christ-like love to others.

At Grand Canyon University, we strive to honor Christ in all we do. To learn about GCU’s Christian identity and heritage, visit our website or request more information by using the button at the top of this page.