Loving the Difficult
By Pastor Jerry A. Burns
Loving people is one of the greatest commands in the Christian life, yet it is often one of the hardest things we are called to do. Some people are easy to love—they are kind, encouraging, and pleasant to be around. Others require what we often call “extra grace.” They test our patience, challenge our attitudes, and expose the selfishness that still lives in our hearts. The truth is, the difficulty in loving others often reveals more about us than it does about them. Our flesh naturally leans toward self-love, self-protection, and self-interest. But biblical love is not centered on self—it seeks the good of another.
Many people think love is simply a feeling, but Scripture teaches something deeper. God’s love is not based on emotion alone; it is rooted in sacrifice. Jesus did not go to the cross because we were lovable—He went because He chose to love us at our worst. Romans 5:8 reminds us that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That is true love. Love is not waiting until someone deserves kindness; it is choosing grace when grace is least deserved. It is a decision of the will, not merely an emotion of the heart.
Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so ye must love one another” (John 13:34). That means our love should reflect His love—patient, forgiving, sacrificial, and faithful. Sometimes that means forgiving when it hurts, serving when it is inconvenient, or praying for someone who has wounded us. Loving others does not mean approving of sin, but it does mean responding with Christlike grace. It means refusing bitterness and choosing obedience over emotion.
The good news is that God never asks us to do this alone. We cannot truly love others in our own strength. Our hearts are too selfish, our patience too limited, and our emotions too unstable. But when we abide in Christ and yield to the Holy Spirit, His love begins to flow through us. Galatians 5 reminds us that love is fruit of the Spirit. When we love difficult people, we are not displaying our strength—we are displaying His power. In those moments, the world sees Christ in us.
Ask yourself today: Is there someone I have found difficult to love? Perhaps there is someone you avoid, someone who hurt you, or someone whose personality simply rubs you the wrong way. Instead of asking God to change them first, ask Him to change your heart. Pray for grace to love as Christ loves. Choose action over emotion. Love is often proven most clearly not in warm feelings, but in costly obedience.
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" — Job 19:25
Daily Scripture Reading
Join us as we read through the Bible in one year, growing together in God’s Word day by day. Click on any underlined verse to access Pastor Burns’ helpful study notes and deeper insights.
Luke 17:20-37
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This Week's Radio Program
Week Eighteen • May 3, 2026
Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)
In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.
This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.