The Most Difficult Command?

What might you consider the most difficult command in the Bible? Let’s face it, some commands are easier to keep than others. And that list of easier commands will differ depending upon the person. For instance, and I am only referring to those who believe the Bible should be followed, some may have more of a temptation to lie. Others may have difficulty with coveting. Still others may find it a challenge to honor their parents. And the list could go on. And, this is only three of the Big 10 – the Ten Commandments, and then only at face value. For as Jesus commented on the commands in Matthew 5, He elevated hatred to murder, and lust to adultery and coveting, etc. Thus, presumably, if we use the understanding Jesus provided a person might change which command they find most difficult to keep. And because the Bible is filled with so many commands, and so many are so challenging, a great number of people choose to follow only some, make excuses for ignoring them, or choose to not to follow them at all. GK Chesterton said well, when he coined the following quote.

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” – GK Chesterton

How true that is. But if I step back from myself, and try to picture the greatest challenge of all commands, I think it would come down to loving others. Of course, loving God properly (with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength) is not easy, but if one believes in God, the one will love God, and so the issues is one of degree, not of doing it at all. That is, the challenge is how much (or how well) we love God, not in loving Him, that is the challenge. But loving others is difficult – except, of course, for the people we love. And thus, the real challenge is to love the unlovable, not those whom we find it easy to love.

But why is it difficult to love some and not others? And why is it difficult at times to love even those we usually love? The answers to these questions are different, but one of the biggest considerations in whether or not we love someone is if we can/will forgive them. Therefore, I will argue that although love might be most difficult overall, our ability to forgive is almost equal and plays a distinct role in our capacity to love just as our love for others is a critical aspect in our ability to forgive.

So, to love is to forgive and to forgive is to love. The reason forgiveness is difficult is because it is only necessary when we have been caused some type of pain. It is easy to love someone when no problems exist, but when conflict arises, love is tested. That conflict could be the result of any type – physical, emotional, spiritual, etc. and the pain that results can then lead to anger and bitterness over time or can be resolved by forgiving the other person and loving them regardless of the issue.

In my sermon this week, I preached on Matthew 6.12, 14-15 where Jesus taught His disciples to pray to “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” and then expanded on the thought by saying that when we forgive others, God forgives us and likewise if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us. These are strong statements, but they go to show how important the concept of forgiveness is. Essentially, what Jesus is saying if we understand what God has done for us, how can we not forgive others?

Forgiveness is not easy, and thus it is often lacking in our relationships. We might say we forgive someone, but then have mixed feelings every time that person comes near. To forgive is not to forget, but it is to not hold anything against another person. (I encourage you to see my sermon blog for more on this as I do not wish to repeat it here.) But the fact that we are human and have been hurt by another human is why the concept of forgiveness is so difficult. And yet, we desire to be forgiven when we make mistakes toward others, so we should follow the maxim of “Do unto others” let alone forgiving because we desire God to forgive us.

The beauty of forgiving others is the freedom that we find ourselves. As we forgive, we allow the bitterness and anger to be released, and we are the ones who are freed from bondage, not the other party. This week, I encourage you to find that freedom as difficult as it may be. Consider the person(s) who have wronged you and the pain you have been caused. Don’t excuse their behavior, but forgive them. I know what some may think. “But Andy, you do not know what they have done.” You are right, I do not, but God does. And He is willing to forgive them, so you should be too. More importantly, He will forgive you if you take the step of forgiving that person (those persons). Because remember, you have likely asked God to forgive your debts as you forgive your debtors.