Loving the Unlovable

Saturday, February 16, is "Do A Grouch A Favor Day." A day to get that grumpy neighbor, perhaps, to crack a smile by just doing something nice.

A holiday that, frankly, seems to me to be profoundly biblical. Jesus, in Matthew 5, reminds us what charity and love are all about. "Give to the one who asks you," he says in verse 42. "And do not turn away the one who wants to borrow from you." Notice, here, that He doesn't say anything about the asker's disposition. Just in case there's any confusion, however, He continues:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48)

Love your enemies. Meaning, of course, that you will have enemies. There will be those who persecute you. You'll have that guy at work for whom nothing you do is ever good enough; that neighbor who yells at your kids or complains endlessly about the fact that you own a dog. You'll come across the person who wants to beat you up because your kids don't get along, or the driver slams on the brakes, and then the gas pedal when you try to pass him. People who are just downright unlovable. 

But Jesus tells us, it's easy to love a nice person. It's easy to be kind to those who are kind to us. He calls us to a higher standard, because we represent Him, and He is our example. And what did He do? When He was stripped, beaten, mocked, and crucified? He cried out in anguish and in exquisite love, "Father, forgive them!" 

Think about that. Think about that deep love He has for each of us. Do we, who have no claim on Salvation beyond the grace of Christ have the right to even consider withholding grace from others?

So be kind to those who are unkind to you. Love them patiently, gracefully, earnestly -- so that, by you, they may also come to know Him.