Cat’s Aren’t People?
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Someone has said, “Cat’s aren’t people, they just think they are.” Actually I wonder if they don’t think they are better than people. My friend Buddy thinks cats are better than most people. The other day he asked, “What’s the good word?” “God is good,” I replied. “Yes, but people aren’t. I prefer my cats,” he said. Buddy then told how he purchased a rare breed of cat that was sick and neglected. He spent hundreds of dollars in veterinary fees to get the cat well. The cat has become a treasured pet that they dote on. As loving as cats are, they still aren’t people. It’s not always easy to love people is it? |
Jesus taught that loving people is a mark of true discipleship. He succinctly told a religious scholar, who had asked what the greatest commandments were, that two commandments fulfilled all the law of God. “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. As second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40 NLT).
I must admit though, many times it seems easier to love God than to love people. Why is that so? God is always good, loving, and trustworthy. People are frail and fallible. So how do I love people?
First – realize GOD is love. People are precious and valuable to God – even the least and meanest of people. Man was made in the image of God. God’s Word gives us this revelation, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Second – consider the GRACE of God. As I relate to some people, I tell myself, “There except by the grace of God, go I.” The ex-slaver John Newton wrote it so well, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” When one is born again by the grace of God, a supernatural change occurs. (John 3:3; Ephesians 2:8; II Corinthians 5:17) God comes to live, walk, and work inside of you. “And this hope will not disappoint. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5 NLT). When I pray for difficult people God gives me an extra measure of His grace.
Third – GOLGOTHA teaches us to love. Jesus was willingly crucified on the cross on Golgotha’s hill. Our sins nailed him to the cross. On the cross he prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). When I have difficulty loving people, God the Father points me to Golgotha’s hill.
Fourth – GIVE forgiveness. He that has been forgiven much loves much. We are commanded to forgive as Christ has forgiven us. (Colossians 3:12-15; Matthew 18:21) In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus makes it clear that if we do not forgive, God will not forgive us. (Matthew 6:14)
Perhaps it is easier to love your cat or dog, but we must one day give an account before God as to how we treat other people. Are you a true follower of Jesus? Jesus said, “SO now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35 NLT).
by: Cliff Sanders