The Condo Next Door

"If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." — 1 John 4:20
 
Have you ever thought about who you're going to spend eternity with?
 
Let me tell you something. You're going to be with some of God's choicest servants that you have a difficult time with right now. In fact, maybe God is going to allow them to have the condo right next to yours.
 
I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth. The people of God come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. I like to say we ought to be called the fellowship of the Neapolitans, because we've got all kinds of flavors in the body of Christ. Some grew up Catholic, some Methodist, some Baptist, some charismatic. Some are from the South, some from the East Coast, some from the West Coast. We're all so different.
 
But here's what the Scripture doesn't give us leeway to do: It doesn't let us like some people and love others. We're commanded to love all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
That doesn't mean you have to agree with everyone. Otherwise, none of us would ever stay married. But it does mean you're called to love them, encourage them, and build them up, even when it's hard.
 
So instead of avoiding the people who rub you wrong, lean in. Get to know them. Let God use that relationship to knock off some edges in your own life that don't look like Jesus. Because one day, you'll be neighbors forever.