No Excuses. Unless...

Something I have been thinking about a lot recently is how much time many of us spend looking for the "Unless".  

We know the Bible is full of things we should be doing to follow the commandment of loving others as yourself.  (Mark 12:31)  Which is difficult to do sometimes.  Really difficult.  This leads to us trying to make excuses and justify our failure to love on others. 

I'll be honest.  Sometimes I wish it was there.  The unless.  

Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31 NLT) 
Unless... your neighbor is really annoying 

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44 NIV)
Unless... they were really mean or hateful and just don't deserve it

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (Matthew 5:42 ESV) 
Unless...  you really want or need it for yourself. 

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8 NIV)
Unless... you are too busy to get involved

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 ESV)
Unless...  you believe no one is going to look out for you unless you think of yourself first.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV) 
Unless... what they did was so terrible that they don't deserve to be forgiven.

But you know what?  It's just not there.  No where does Jesus ever say it's OK to be selfish, or jealous, or prideful, or hurtful.  No circumstances that make it alright or that justify it.  

Only...  Love your neighbor.  Love your enemies.  Love others

Just... Love.