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The key to loving others as ourselves is to depend on the Holy
Spirit (Gal. 5:16). Our problem is not an absence of love because
God's love has already been poured out into our heart (Rom. 5:5).
Our problem is sin in our heart. We need to admit our sin of not
loving others as ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to love through
us.
Conclusion: Saint Francis of Assisi was terrified of leprosy. One day on the
narrow path he was traveling, he saw something very white in the
sunshine. It was a man with leprosy! Instinctively his heart shrank
back, recoiling and shuddering in fear of the disease. But then
he rallied. Ashamed of himself and realizing he would want to
be loved and accepted, he ran and cast his arms about the sufferer's
neck and kissed him and passed on. A moment later he looked back.
There was no one there, only the narrow, empty road in the hot
sunlight. Ever afterwards, he was sure it was not a leper but
Jesus Christ who met him.
Let us love one another as we would want to be loved. |
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