When Love Feels Impossible: Carrying the Kingdom Message Today

Sometimes, when we’re studying the Savior’s words, the hardest parts aren't the doctrines we *don't* understand, but the actions we *think* we can’t perform. We read the scriptures, we attend the talks, we even go through the rigorous process of missionary preparation, and we feel like we’ve got the theory down. But then we hit a passage like Luke 6:27—'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.' And suddenly, the theory meets the terrifying reality of the field.

It’s easy to treat these profound commands like just another set of 'religious words on a page.' We nod our heads in agreement during a missionary discussion, thinking, 'Yeah, yeah, I got that. Okay, move on to the next thing.' But when you really stop and feel the weight of that commandment, it feels… impossible.

As we continue in our journey as rogue disciples—whether we’re prepping for a mission, serving in a stake center, or just trying to be better neighbors—we keep bumping up against the places where the gospel seems to ask for more than our natural capacity. The Spirit is the great equalizer, and sometimes, the Spirit points us to the places where we are weakest.

The Practicality of the Command

What strikes me most about this passage, especially after hearing the insights from David Guzik, is that Jesus doesn't leave us hanging on vague feelings. He doesn't just say, 'Feel good about them.' He says, 'How do you *actually* do this?'

He spells out a practical, actionable sequence: Do good to them. Bless them. And pray for them.

This is the framework we need to keep in our hearts. If we have someone in our lives—maybe a difficult family member, a former associate, or even someone who has actively wronged us—where do we start? We look for a way to do good. We look for a way to bless them. We look for a way to speak well of them, and crucially, we look for a way to pray for them.

This isn't about being naïve; it's about being Christlike. It requires a deep trust that the Atonement of Jesus Christ empowers us to move beyond our natural inclination toward retaliation. It’s a constant process of spiritual recalibration.

A Bite-Sized Skill: Shifting Focus from Feeling to Action

For those of us who are currently serving as internet missionaries, or who are just trying to live this out in our own neighborhoods, here’s a small skill I want to leave you with today. When you feel that natural resistance—that little voice saying, "No, that's not what he really meant"—don't argue with the voice. Instead, immediately pivot to the action. Don't debate the theology; execute the action. Find one small, tangible way to do good for someone who challenges you this week. That act of service becomes your testimony, and that testimony is what the Spirit uses.

Remember, every member can be an internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Our field is everywhere.

Keep the Study Going

If this passage has you pondering the difference between *feeling* and *doing*, I highly recommend diving deeper into the context of the Sermon on the Mount versus the Sermon on the Plain. I found some excellent comparative insights in the LivingBook lately. If you're looking for more material to ponder while you wait for your next assignment, check out the Iron Rod authors' writings on discipleship. They always bring the necessary grit to these profound concepts.

And if you want to discuss this with others, please join a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. There are fellow disciples ready to wrestle with these hard questions alongside you. Let's keep building up the body of Christ!