LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY

09/22/2024

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35).

The world offers many reasons for one to be hostile and mean spirited. From unfriendly neighbors to difficult co-workers to random people with bad attitudes, you can find a reason to be hostile.  But the truth is that there is no justification for not shining the light of Jesus to your world. 

Jeremiah 20:7-9 paints a picture of a prophet of God who had had enough with serving people because he was treated poorly by those he was called to serve. We often expect things to go smoothly because God has sent us; yet, the opposite is usually the case. Those that we have been anointed to serve are not always angels, spirit-filled, loving, or kind. Many times, we are sent to those with the worst of attitudes. Jeremiah got to the point where he felt like he had had enough. He said to God, "You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived; You overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the Word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, 'I will not mention His word or speak any more in His name,' His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”

Thank God that the Word of God burned in Jeremiah. Even with that, he still gave in to the pressure of discouragement. But the Word in him overpowered the spirit of discouragement. Had the Word not been in him, he would likely have stopped because of the people's attitude. 

Saints, I wish I could tell you that there was a justifiable reason for not doing as God has commanded you to do. But there is none. That your spouse, co-worker, church member, neighbor, or relative is obnoxious will not hold as a valid reason for failing to serve them as you would Christ. Jesus said, “But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:27-36).

So look at your world today and love unconditionally.

Faith-Filled Confession:

The Word of God is my inspiration for all that I do. Christ is my motivation for service. I will seek to serve at every opportunity as I would Christ and will allow His love to flow through me to those around me.