Answers
By BGEA Admin • January 4, 2024 • Topics: God's Love
Q:
I constantly hear about how people should love one another but when I look at the world, the evidence is overwhelming—there is more hate than love. Even in my own life I find that I stay upset and angry and find it difficult to show love, especially to those who do wrong. I’ve asked the Lord to help me be more loving but it seems many times that I exhibit just the opposite and it discourages me. I’m sure God prefers that we exhibit love rather than hate.
A:
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
For those who belong to Jesus Christ, God’s priority is that His love would become the hallmark of life—because it is the hallmark of Christ’s life. How does this become a reality? It doesn’t happen by accident or by gritting our teeth and hoping that somehow we can make ourselves love others. It happens only as we grow closer to Christ and submit our lives to Him, allowing His Holy Spirit to cleanse and change us. The Bible says that “the fruit of the Spirit is love” (Galatians 5:22, NKJV).
This happens only gradually, one step at a time, and it starts by settling our relationship with God through receiving salvation offered by His Son, Jesus Christ. God then brings us to peace with Him, gives us peace in our hearts, and peace with others. When we receive Christ as personal Savior and Lord, the warfare between God and us is over. We also find that peace with others takes a lifetime to develop; we won’t be complete until we reach Heaven.
Almost nothing is as complex as the human personality, and no simple formula will ever cover every relationship. But for all who ask, God will implant His love within and then help us live according to His will.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
