Paul urges us to imitate God, and therefore intentionally live a life characterized by LOVE. Love for who? Everyone! The Lord Himself taught that we should go way beyond simply loving those who love us, commanding us to love our neighbors (Luke 10:25-37) and our enemies (Luke 6:27-36) as well.

This would mean that we should love people we don't really feel like loving, right? If that doesn't sound natural, it's because it isn't. Yes, we are told that God gives us a new heart (Eze 36:26, 2Cor 5:17), but does that really mean that we suddenly experience the warm fuzzies for everyone we see and interact with?  I'm sorry but I don't. Our eyes may be opened to God's perspective, but I just don't think our feelings change on a dime. Doesn't Paul also write about an internal war that rages within (Rom 7:7-25), as the desire to please God battles the natural inclinations we were born with?

So what does all this really mean in my life?  Well, my first thought is that old line "you've got to be true to yourself" is a big fat lie of Satan's. We are not called to be "real" all of the time. I'd suggest this means we cheerfully say "hi" to people we don't like, smile and shake their hands, hug them, ask them how they're doing, pray for them, etc. Serve them if the opportunity arises (Jesus even washed Judas' feet). Wish I could say feelings of love always flow from the heart of obedience to God, but for me this honestly hasn't been the case. 

So if I can't be true to myself, if I can't say or do what I naturally feel, then who the heck am I?  (I just don't feel like "myself". Doesn't this amount to an identity crisis? Like some sort of split personality?)

I believe this is where prayer comes in. If it's a struggle (and I know it is), ask God to allow you to see them in such a way that feelings of love are possible. God can soften a hard heart, even mine. It may take time, but I firmly believe that when God promises that "everyone who asks receives" (Luke 11:10), He's referring to precisely this kind of prayer. The kind that directly results in gifts that glorify Him, such as a love that just doesn't come naturally!

Furthermore, in Ephesians 5:2 (above) Paul calls us to follow Jesus' example and "give ourselves up."  He also said that for him "to live is Christ" (Phil 1:21). Our identity as Christians isn't our own, and following our personal feelings could lead us astray as we seek to walk with Christ. So who am I? A reflection of God, even when I don't feel like it.