“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
It is amazing to me how quickly I give up trying to love annoying people when I discover that they are truly despicable people. I feel a bit guilty when I avoid my coworker because of his poor social skills, but when I find out he is cheating on his sweet, innocent girlfriend, I feel like I'm “off the hook”.
Then I read Romans 5:8.
Jesus says, "anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell" (Matthew 5:22). Our sins, large and small-- even the ones we don't feel bad about at all--set us on a path to hell. Of course those of us who are Christians know that we are now under grace, our verse today clearly says: “WHILE we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (emphasis mine). In other words, God had a whole lot of reasons to be “off the hook” in regards to loving us. But instead He chose to respond with love.
So what will we choose to do when someone is not only irritating, but actually deeply immoral and unkind? Can we determine that we will not let ourselves off the hook, and by grace, love the ugly?
Father, let the love You showed for me while I was still a filthy sinner, transform and expand my heart so that I might have genuine affection for those that I would rather avoid. Help me to pray regularly for grace in this area so that the world might see how beautiful un-provoked love is.
Take Action
Resource Knowing God by J.I. Packer
The Lord has placed at least one person in each of our lives that is difficult to love. Ask Him to show you that person and what it might look like to begin acting in loving ways even though you don't feel affection for that person. Ask Him to change your affections.
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