Taking Love to the Next Level

December 20, 2017

Luke 6:32

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them.

Most of us can get along with most people, most of the time, but there never fails to be those “irregular” people in your life that just rub you the wrong way. Their attributes and characteristics may be many and varied, but bottom line, “its hard to really love them”. In most cases we steer away from them in as much as it is possible, but like it or not, they are going to be there. I think Jesus was addressing our love for some of these irregular people when He spoke these words in Luke 6. Let’s take a closer look at the context of what Jesus is saying here in Luke 6:27-36.

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32″If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. 34And 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. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Jesus is calling us to a level of love that few have really walked in and put into daily practice. We would like to think we are there, but how many of us truly love unconditionally? When we love, it is human nature to want to have that love or goodness reciprocated. How do we feel and react when it isn’t? Looking at the divorce rate in our marriages, it obviously shows up there and just about as much in believers as non-believers. That’s not to condemn anyone, because the point is very few of us are truly walking and responding in this level of love. This is “agape” or God love. It is this kind of love that is a decision, not just a feeling. It is the kind of love that caused Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners and still His enemy. It is the kind of love that gave us life, when we deserved death and saw past our faults to meet our need. Is that the kind of love we are extending to the irregular people in our life? Nothing has the power to change them like that kind of undeserved and unwarranted love. What we often forget is that love is our greatest weapon against our enemies. read how Romans 12:9-21 exhorts us to live and walk in love.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Isn’t interesting that this starts out with the phrase, “Love must be sincere” ? A lot of us extend a pretense or token of love, but when it is pushed or tested it shows itself false or insincere. I believe God wants to give us the grace of His nature to love the unlovely and to embrace the “irregular”. Let’s learn to implement the weaponry of love. Who is that irregular person or persons in your life. Remember, we are not being asked just to extend our love, but God’s love through us. Isn’t it time we take our love to the next level? Supernatural love responds in supernatural ways.

Blessings,

#kent

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