I love you... BUT...

What does it mean to say I love you in Christ... But I really don't like you... Does that even make sense? Is that even possible... And to be honest with you I have never read anywhere in His Word that justifies that statement... Yet I hear it out of the mouths of my brothers and sisters all the time... And I struggle with it myself. 1 John 2:9-11 states that if I am in the light I can not hate my brother... and what is dislike? it is not the same as love... you can not love and dislike someone at the same time!!! And when it is one brother/sister in Christ stating it to another... 1 John 2:6 says if we claim to live in Him we need to be like Him... I never heard of Christ ever making a statement like that. He wants us to hate sin, but love the sinner. I believe that Christ has died, buried, and rose again for me, as well as everyone else... And I believe that once we accept that we redemed and become righteous... Not because of what we did... But because of what He did... and at that point we are no longer sinners but saints... (I understand that doesn't mean that we no longer sin... I look at it like a runner... a runner runs everyday... runs marathons... conditions himself...etc...  Now I am no runner... but I can run!).
So now if we are to hate the sin but love the sinner... what more should we be for our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus? And how can it be comforting and incouraging to hear from a fellow brother/sister in Christ that "I love you in Christ, but I really don't like you." My mind races of into so many different direction with this... It makes it sound like it is a chore to love... its not... it's a gift... it makes it sound like we do it only because it is required of us... it's not it is a choice... Col. 3:3-4 says Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all virtues put on love, which binds you together in perfect unity... How can one say they love you, but don't like you and there be unity? Don't misunderstand me in my words... unity does not mean we have to agree with everything every brother/sister in Christ does... boy would we be in trouble if we did... but the opposite of unity is diversity and think about that... I can not love and dislike someone at the same time!! That is diversity... and we are only decieving ourself if we think we can do/have both.
So next time I feel like I can't stand to be around someone... especially one of my brothers/sisters in Christ... I pray that God remind me that it is one or the other... it can't be both... it is walking in light or dark... It is a choice... It is a gift... do I choose to accept it or decline...
I can not change the way someone feels about me, but I can change how I feel about them... and if I choose to love... then there is no room for dislike... and with that can I love them enough to let my frustations of their behavior go?...accepting them for WHOSE they are and not who they are?... and can I get my priorities in proper order?... putting the commandments of Christ first and LOVE with my heart, soul... and MIND?
I pray for a change that is pleasing to God... Not of my own or others... but God. Oh, my PaPa I ask of you now to lead me and direct me... humble me where I need to be humbled and help me to stand my ground where my enemies are... for I know in my heart that your love brings unity... please help to believe this in my mind... freeing me of any bondage from the enemies of this dark world is scheming for me... not setting myself up to be a scapegoat... Letting your love flow like a river through me... pouring out unto others... giving ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO YOU!!! Keep me from making the same mistakes of my past... and letting you lead and direct my future... For it is ALL ABOUT YOU!! PRAISE YOU JESUS!!! Remind me my rewards in pleasing others are NOTHING compared to my rewards for pleasing You!! Taking anything that my enemies meant for destruction and death making it Your victory and eternal life!! I thank-you for loving me regardless of my flaws and failures and creating in me a new heart and right Spirit. Thank-you for opening my eyes to see what You love means and giving me take love to love others.