How can Jesus love me?

[Jenny31]

When my life is so messed up? It seems like he hates me. I've thought this my whole life. Every time I meet a Christian they attack me. They do not act at all like the man in the holy bible. Am I just being persecuted as he was?

 

[KingJ]

Faithfulness would have no meaning if there were no trials and tribulations. Consider Job. Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son. Paul thrown into prison many times, beaten, hungry, shipwrecked and more 2 Cor 11:16-33.

 

[amadeus2]

When my life is so messed up? It seems like he hates me. I've thought this my whole life. Every time I meet a Christian they attack me. They do not act at all like the man in the holy bible. Am I just being persecuted as he was?

Many people who bear the label of Christian or even minister are like the priests in the gospels who indeed were the sons of Aaron and properly held the position... but with the wrong spirit!

"...The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments," Matt 23:2-5

And Jesus words to those of today would be like those of 2000 years ago:

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." Matt 23:14

 

[Fragrant Grace]

When my life is so messed up? It seems like he hates me. I've thought this my whole life. Every time I meet a Christian they attack me. They do not act at all like the man in the holy bible. Am I just being persecuted as he was?

How does it seem He hates you @Jenny31

The world is full of hate.
Mankind is desperately lost in sin and wickedness
There is no joy or peace to be found in the world.

However that is not so of our dear Lord Jesus

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

Thank the Lord and rejoice in His perfect love.
He is perfect
And He loves you
His love never fails

 

[HisFollower]

The Lord Jesus told the Pharisees [religious elitists] after they were criticizing and condemning His disciples that...
"if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless." (Matthew 12:7)

 

[castingchrist]

When my life is so messed up? It seems like he hates me. I've thought this my whole life. Every time I meet a Christian they attack me. They do not act at all like the man in the holy bible. Am I just being persecuted as he was?

No I hope not, but if you are just use your faith.

 

[Brighthouse]

Something which has given me great comfort sister Jenny31 are two different scriptures. The first one shows us that the Lord is not angry with you anymore!( Isaiah 54:9-10!!) And the next one has a story attached.For some 20 year sis I knew the Lord loved me,my problem was believing that the Lord knew i loved him! As of course i have faults and shortcoming,like you,

i wondered if my feeling were telling me the truth,for a long time I thanked the Lord for the answer,but never received one,until late in the morning as I was sleeping, a giant billboard appeared in my head in a dream,it was written in blood!! Proverbs 8:17 Why sister it woke me out of a sound sleep!! I rushed to my bible to see what on earth it could be! It says sis " I LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE ME! AND!!!!! those who diligently seek me will find me! Of all the many wonderful promises of God Jenny there are also promises of not being accepted by the world.( John 15:18-21!!!)

This is also a promise sis! But we have no more fear,nor any more worry! For of all the things both in people and in feeling, we trust in God's Word for our very life! ( Rom 8:31-37!!!) And from this dear sister we in Christ may always keep HIS HOPE!!( Rom 15:13) and peace in always believing! For God cannot fail! Nor can we in his eyes towards him!!( Phil 4:7-8) For God's peace is kept by looking at each one of us through verse 8,even as we follow him in this to others!( John 13:34-35!!) May this bring you lasting comfort, even as he has done this towards all who love him!

 

[castingchrist]

I was thinking about your title "How can Jesus love me?" Maybe you should turn the phrase around "How can we love others?" Then you'll see how Jesus loves you.

 

[rag4aCrown]

I ask myself the same dear sister; then He sends me into all the world and I am a witness for Him and a living testimony of Jesus Christ. For He sends me among drunks, needle users...well, liars, cheats and theives. I use to be one of them many, many years ago, so who better to send out to them? He has told me many times, nothing on the outside has changed but what is inside has been made brand new. Amen.

Be ye perfect, as I am perfect, He said; so when we have fallen short, do we remember Him and the price He paid?

Thank you my Lord Jesus, lead me and give me Your strength, to be more like You. Amen

 

[Born Again 2004]

He has known you and loved you since before the beginning of the world. The only thing that can dampen or separate you from this love is you! He is the only one that can love you like you were the only person in the world!

 

[SHINY4UJESUS]

When my life is so messed up? It seems like he hates me. I've thought this my whole life. Every time I meet a Christian they attack me. They do not act at all like the man in the holy bible. Am I just being persecuted as he was?

Many people who bear the label of Christian or even minister are like the priests in the gospels who indeed were the sons of Aaron and properly held the position... but with the wrong spirit!

"...The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments," Matt 23:2-5

Well played Amadeus, this is the crux of it entirely. State of heart matters, thus was why it was the sinner at the bottom of the stairs and not the Pharisee at the top of the porch who was justified. I have a favored phrase that I find applicable in many situations, and i will refer to it again: "Just because we are on the side of right,that doesn't mean that in our approach we are right." The Pharisees of Jesus' time rebelled against him,(albeit in error,) because the things He spoke, lessons He taught, and actions He took seemed to be contrary to everything they had been taught about God and the Law. True they were given to a "jaded," and very narrow perspective; but they were confident they were "n the side of right." Even Paul at one time militantly and proactively sought out early Christians; commanding and consenting to their torture, imprisonment, persecution and much more. His intentions were of desire towards obedience to God; but having a flawed perspective of things caused his well intended actions to be revealed as the enemy's fruit in due time.

You are not alone in your experiences and suffering, I have been party to the exact same treatment; even within the confines of a church setting. Such things are simply a sad reality of the spiritual warfare we are unfortunately thrust into at birth. I would here redirect to a specific scripture portion:

" If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth, but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or clanging cymbal...If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever. Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it's been wronged. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." + 1 CORINTH. 13: 1,2 & 4-7 +

No matter what we do, regardless how noble or heavenly our intentions; if they are not driven out of and in a spirit of love, then they are but plastic fruit on the table. They may look like fruit, but in truth they are but hollow shells with no "nutritional," value. We must remember that what we received was grace; unmerited favor, so when we don't also employ that same grace in ministry and actions towards others-we are basically elevating ourselves as somehow more worthy of that grace than the other.

Also, we do well to note what we are told in Hebrews 4:12-13 (AMP):
"12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account."

With this in mind, we must realize that given scripture's dynamic, living and active nature; merely speaking it carries a great weight of spiritual conviction in the lives of those whose hearts or actions are not aligned with God's will. When we blindly "thump," people over the head with biblical principles, we may be right, the application may be valid, but we may be doing more harm than good and here is why. When a person is in sin, in darkness, in extreme emotional duress; they cannot discern that what they are receiving is the conviction of the Spirit-to them it feels more like the judgment of man. How easily would you accept a message of love, hope, grace and freedom from a person who seems to be casting a heavy dose of condemnation upon you?
We must realize that the Word of God is a sharp, heavy instrument of spiritual warfare; and if we "swing this sword," without proper understanding; we risk cutting the heart and soul as much as the chains of spiritual slavery. Truly we have another more useful weapon at our disposal: the Light of Christ! By simply reflecting the love, grace, patience, peace and mercy of Jesus; we are shining the light into the darkened and hardened hearts of others. This is a much more receivable witness than plainly expounding the Word; and it is self-evident in its intent and sincerity. A cardiac surgeon does not use a broadsword but a tiny scalpel; making precision cuts to keep from harming the tissues around/within the heart. We must use this light just so; as a precision instrument to soften the hardness, to remove the "cancerous," emotions, perspectives and ideology first. Then we will have built a bond of trust, love and grace that will open the door for scripture to be truly received.
In the end there is a time to swing the sword for the fences, and a time to delicately strip away the tendrils of demonic attachment with the light and love of Christ. There is a time for stern rebuke, but also a time for gentle and patient redirection. Let us be wise here, let us be sensitive to the leading and discernment of the Holy Spirit, and let us always seek to lovingly edify rather than arrogantly condemn.

Thanks and God Bless!

 

[lifestalent]

When my life is so messed up? It seems like he hates me. I've thought this my whole life. Every time I meet a Christian they attack me. They do not act at all like the man in the holy bible. Am I just being persecuted as he was?

Everyone is in a mess, Jesus ain't going to wipe up after us.

If we desire life so much, we better make a world that will make the angels jealous.

 

[Brad Huber]

Everyone is in a mess, Jesus ain't going to wipe up after us.

If we desire life so much, we better make a world that will make the angels jealous.

Jesus has often wiped up after me. And only fallen angels would be jealous, mostly being jealous of our relationship with God. The heavenly angels praise God when we serve the Lord.

 

[lifestalent]

Jesus has often wiped up after me. And only fallen angels would be jealous, mostly being jealous of our relationship with God. The heavenly angels praise God when we serve the Lord.

Literally?

 

[Brad Huber]

Literally?

Which part, the wiping up? Its a spiritual answer of course, being washed in the blood of the lamb, cleaned up from my pile of sins, and regrets.

 

[Blunder_Duck]

When my life is so messed up? It seems like he hates me. I've thought this my whole life. Every time I meet a Christian they attack me. They do not act at all like the man in the holy bible. Am I just being persecuted as he was?

When those Christians nail you to a cross then you will know you were persecuted like he was. And that's after you're scourged.

Are you a practicing Christian? What do you think would make Christians believe you're not that they treat you as the outsider you describe?

 

[SHINY4UJESUS]

BLUNDER....well said. In 1 John through 2 Peter we see the pattern that the world indeed "hates" we who are born of the Spirit thru faith in Christ. WE should not be surprised at these things but instead rejoice in the honor of sharing in the righteous sufferings of Christ if it so be our course.

LIFESTALENT: First off...Jesus' blood literally "wiped us clean and constantly 'cleans up after us.'" Scripture states that if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us...which only comes by way of the blood. Think about it...for thousands of years Priests had to "clean up after Israel's sin on daily basis...performing constant sacrifices to make the people clean and righteous....but it was not enough. That was the whole reason for our need of Christ...to shed a blood pure enough to wipe us clean of all sin for all time. So in essence..that is indeed the whole purpose of Christ..."to 'wipe up' after us"