Tony Campbell added a new photo to the album: The Most Frequently Asked Bible Questions:.

The Most Frequently Asked Bible Questions:WHY IS LOVING PEOPLE SO HARD?

Let’s be honest.

People can be hard to love.

Christians sometimes joke about “EGR people.” Extra Grace Required. The ones who argue about everything. The ones who twist your words. The ones who make every conversation exhausting.

But the truth is it’s not just those people. Sometimes the hardest people to love are the ones closest to us. Family. Friends. Church members. Even other Christians.

Why?

Because sin is involved.

Not just their sin. Ours too.

Human beings are fallen. Loving ourselves comes naturally. Loving others does not. Scripture says love “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Paul says we should “esteem others better than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3). That runs directly against our instincts.

So when two sinful people collide, both carrying pride, wounds, opinions, and expectations, love suddenly becomes difficult.

Another problem is that most people misunderstand what love actually is.

Our culture treats love like a feeling. Something you feel when someone is nice, agreeable, or easy to be around.

But that’s not how the Bible defines it.

The word used most often in the New Testament is agapē. Agapē isn’t primarily emotional. It’s sacrificial. It’s choosing the good of another person even when they don’t deserve it.

God didn’t love us because we were lovable.

Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

That’s the standard.

Jesus didn’t say “feel loving toward one another.” He said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34).

That’s a command.

Love in Scripture is an action of the will. It’s choosing patience instead of retaliation. Grace instead of bitterness. Kindness instead of revenge.

And the truth is we can’t manufacture that kind of love on our own. Trying to force it usually ends in fake politeness while frustration sits in the heart.

Real love comes from God.

Galatians 5:22 says love is the fruit of the Spirit. It grows when we stay connected to Christ. His life produces it in us.

And here’s the part that really puts things in perspective.

If loving a few difficult people is hard…

Imagine loving an entire world of sinners.

Yet that’s exactly what God did.

So when we extend grace to someone who doesn’t deserve it, we’re reflecting the very character of God.

And that’s how Jesus said the world would recognize His followers.

Not by arguments. Not by winning comment sections.

By love.

Now let’s be honest for a moment.

Everyone has at least one “extra grace required” person in their life.

You probably thought of them while reading this.

Don’t name them.

But think about it.

Has God ever used a difficult person to teach you grace?

Sometimes the people who test our patience the most are the very ones God uses to shape our character.

• @[100052913058244:2048:Tony Campbell]

#MoreJoyMinistriesWHY IS LOVING PEOPLE SO HARD? Let’s be honest. People can be hard to love. Christians sometimes joke about “EGR people.” Extra Grace Required. The ones who argue about everything. The ones who twist your words. The ones who make every conversation exhausting. But the truth is it’s not just those people. Sometimes the hardest people to love are the ones closest to us. Family. Friends. Church members. Even other Christians. Why? Because sin is involved. Not just their sin. Ours too. Human beings are fallen. Loving ourselves comes naturally. Loving others does not. Scripture says love “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Paul says we should “esteem others better than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3). That runs directly against our instincts. So when two sinful people collide, both carrying pride, wounds, opinions, and expectations, love suddenly becomes difficult. Another problem is that most people misunderstand what love actually is. Our culture treats love like a feeling. Something you feel when someone is nice, agreeable, or easy to be around. But that’s not how the Bible defines it. The word used most often in the New Testament is agapē. Agapē isn’t primarily emotional. It’s sacrificial. It’s choosing the good of another person even when they don’t deserve it. God didn’t love us because we were lovable. Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s the standard. Jesus didn’t say “feel loving toward one another.” He said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). That’s a command. Love in Scripture is an action of the will. It’s choosing patience instead of retaliation. Grace instead of bitterness. Kindness instead of revenge. And the truth is we can’t manufacture that kind of love on our own. Trying to force it usually ends in fake politeness while frustration sits in the heart. Real love comes from God. Galatians 5:22 says love is the fruit of the Spirit. It grows when we stay connected to Christ. His life produces it in us. And here’s the part that really puts things in perspective. If