Every time I think of how I want to do the Lord's work in the best way possible, I always come to the conclusion that by loving others I am able to serve the Lord since He created us and loves us so much. Then the next thought I always have is, how can I love others in the right way? I will be honest with you and say I have taken this as trying my hardest to share the gospel with everyone I feel led to. Don't get me wrong, this is what the ultimate goal should be since we are called to spread the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to everyone and to the ends of the earth, but I think we sometimes approach this too quickly in some people's lives. His timing is perfect and we need to seek that out before jumping right in. Maybe some of the times, right then and there is His timing, but maybe not.
I know this has been true to me. It may be because I am guy, but whenever I see a problem, I want to immediately fix it. This is kind of how I have been viewing my "duty" if you will, to love others. I see that they are not saved, and boom, I am laying it on them. I have since realized that it's not about hitting them with it right then, but it is all about God's timing. One of the greatest things we can do in order to love someone is to show them patience in their circumstances. So yeah maybe your friend is heading down the wrong course in his life and rejects God; so now you have the opportunity to show him God's love and pray for him, be there for him, talk with him when HE wants to, and put up with his circumstances.
I think of my own life and how I have rejected God so many times, and yet He still loves me, and He shows me this through putting up with me and forgiving me when I wrong Him. I don't deserve His forgiveness, but yet He freely gives it. So we need to be forgiving to one another and be patient with one another as well. By being patient with those we care for and not seeking to immediately lay on the full force of God on them, we are loving them just as God is loving us. I think you will begin to see that this can be a better way to get through to them. They can see you are simply loving them for where they are, and who knows, they may ask YOU what is different about you and now THEY are the ones seeking out, and not you laying it on them in a time when they are not wanting it.
So when someone who is close to you is struggling, or even a complete stranger, try loving them in this way. I think it is going to change my life, and I hope it changes yours. "Love God, Love Others"
