Matthew 5:46 (NKJV) 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
To love someone who gives love in return is natural for all of us. It isn’t a challenge at all. It’s easy. Even the ungodly can love those who will love them back.
But to love someone who returns no love, or returns hatred, is difficult, for even the spiritually mature person. This is a challenge that most of us would fail miserably at almost every time.
Many of us will deny that we’re like this. But it’s safe to say that if we were to observe ourselves on a regular basis, and how we interact with others, we would probably not like what we saw at all. We would probably fall to our knees and repent before God for our lack of love, compassion and understanding.
So we challenge you today to love those who give us no love in return; The unlovable, the miserable, the cranky, the spiteful, the cynical and the hateful people around us.
Jesus implored us to do this. He even took it one step further and instructed us to pray for those very same people.
Luke 6:27-28 (NKJV) 27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
This is our “homework” for the days and weeks ahead, to love everyone we encounter, whether they reciprocate or not. Are we up to the task?
With God’s spirit we can be!
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-315-0902
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