How to Love the Unloving
When I was young, to love was an easy thing for me. In fact, I thought I knew what love is. But when I’ve become a follower of Christ, I realized that I was holding on to a worldly kind of love – I was good when people were good, I gave when people gave back, I loved them back if they loved me too. My love was based on expectation and condition.
The Bible tells us of what true love is in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
The biblical kind of love which is the truest and purest form of love is actually difficult without the help of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Bible tells the believers to probably do the most difficult kind of love as stated by Jesus Christ, “But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.… But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:27-28, 35-36).
This is how we are able to love the unloving people in our lives. I know it can be very difficult but knowing how God has loved you first, it would give you the grace to do the same to others; for we cannot love others without receiving first the love of God in our lives. Remember, this is how God has demonstrated His love for us all: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
God gave His Son Jesus for us at the time we all least deserved it. Sometimes, God places difficult people in our lives to mold our character and to reveal Christlikeness in us. God wants to manifest Himself to you every time you are faced with difficult and unloving people. But you must yield to the Holy Spirit who produces this fruit in your life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Holy Spirit will help you to love the unloving people in your life as He reminds you of how God has loved you too.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me unconditionally and for forgiving me of my wrong doings many times. I ask that You help me too in loving the unloving people in my life. Through Your Holy Spirit, empower me to love them as you have loved me, without expectation and with kindness and compassion. Protect my heart from offenses, unforgiveness and bitterness, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
