Loving Jerks

[Property Of God]

I read that article called A Lesson in Love, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson.

Here is the article:
"What a jerk," I thought as I hung up the phone. Not a very
spiritual reflection for a pastor, but that's the way I felt nonetheless.
I was just concluding a counseling session and was trying desperately to prepare a
Bible study for the evening service on "Love One Another" from John 13:34-35. It wasn't coming together.


The caller had identified himself as Ernest F. Thomas, "as in doubting Thomas," he told me.
He was traveling between Oregon and Phoenix, the 45 year-old unbelieving son
of a minister, needing--no, demanding--a motel room due to medical problems. Because I couldn't
listen to his story right then he rudely impugned my Christianity, as well as the faith
of fifteen other ministers he allegedly had called. He was insulting, insistent, and, in spite of
the 185 I.Q. he claimed, a real pain.

When he called back ten minutes later as we had agreed,
I can't say I was looking forward to talking to him. But God had been talking to me.
Thinking of Ernest as a jerk had jolted me. The verse I had been studying was starting
to come home. "Love one another, even as I have loved you."

How did Jesus love? He taught us to love those who mistreat us.
If He hadn't practiced what He preached, I would have had no chance.
"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,
" He told His disciples (John 15:13), yet He exceeded man's best by dying for His enemies (Romans 5:8).
Jesus doesn't love on the basis of our worthiness.

Transients who chronically call churches for help are perplexing.
Must a person be deserving for me to love him with practical help?
No. God doesn't operate that way--He loves radically.
So must we. "Love one another, even as I have loved you."

We must love the underserving. Even Christians can be hard to love.
Jesus' own disciples were incredibly self-centered sometimes.
The miracle of love is that it continues--
in spite of weaknesses, anger, sins, "blind sides," and grating habits.
That quality of love, Jesus said, will be the sign to outsiders that we are His disciples.
In our love they must be able to glimpse His surpassing love.

Yes, I helped Ernest F. Thomas get a room that night.
But I learned a vital lesson as well: God loves jerks and so must I.


The article left a smile on my face, i should not regret loving someone ever, even if it was the worst thing ever, even if they don't deserve, even if they don't love us back.
I don't think Jesus ever regretted dying for us, i think he will do it again and again if he has to.
We say and do many things we don't necassarily feel, and when we get angry we turn evil, we don't see or think, we just want to hurt that person who hurted us even more deeply and more brutaly even if we love this someone.

So the next time i get angry at someone, i'll remember that even Jesus loved jerks!

 

[Coconut]

"The caller had identified himself as Ernest F. Thomas, "as in doubting Thomas," he told me. He was traveling between Oregon and Phoenix, the 45 year-old unbelieving son of a Minister, needing--no, demanding--a motel room due to medical problems. Because I couldn't listen to his story right then he rudely impugned my Christianity, as Well as the Faith of fifteen other ministers he allegedly had called. He was insulting, insistent, and, in spite of the 185 I.Q. he claimed, a real pain."

The trouble is...the one needing to ask forgiveness here was the author...

Dr. Ralph F obviously didnt learn the lesson he was supposed to learn...

that is...

You arnt being percecuted (railed upon) for righteousness sake when you tell a stranger asking for lodging you have`nt got time for him right then...a simple yes would have sufficed...and been a true example of righteousness.

"Because I couldn't listen to his story right then he rudely impugned my Christianity, as well as the faith of fifteen other ministers he allegedly had called."

WHO impugned his christianity? He did that quite effectively himself it would seem.

That "jerk" Dr. Ralph F so lovingly ended his note calling...might have been an angel...hmm....

Heb 13:2 Stop neglecting to show hospitality to strangers, for by showing hospitality some have had angels as their guests without being aware of it.

"I was just concluding a counseling session and was trying desperately to prepare a Bible study for the evening service on "Love One Another" from John 13:34-35. It wasn't coming together."

No wonder...

Looks like the pastor needed a 'practice' lesson, before he could 'preach' ...


1Co 9:27 But I give blows to my body, and keep it under control, for fear that, after having given the good news to others, I myself might not have God's approval.

(now thats what I call a body check)

Moral of the story maybe should be...we aught to check ourselves first, always, we might discover the unlovable jerk is 'me, myself and I'.

Mat 12:37 For by your words will your righteousness be seen, and by your words you will be judged.


Mat 7:2 For as you have been judging, so you will be judged, and with your measure will it be measured to you.
And why do you take note of the grain of dust in your brother's eye, but take no note of the bit of wood which is in your eye?
Or how will you say to your brother, Let me take out the grain of dust from your eye, when you yourself have a bit of wood in your eye?
You false one, first take out the bit of wood from your eye, then will you see clearly to take out the grain of dust from your brother's eye.