1 John 4:7-16

Monday, January 8, 2007

LOVING THE UNLOVED

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:7-16 (NKJV)

There have been many heart touching stories that have been sent to you and me, stories that emphasize LOVING THE UNLOVED. I recall one story of the little boy who threw an object that hit a very expensive new car, another about a poor little girl who wanted to attend Sunday School but was refused, and another about a man who felt he was the lowest of the low in his job of clearing and cleaning tables at a fast food restaurant. Possibly you have received these and many others that have brought tears to your eyes.

What causes a complete stranger to give love to the unloved. John in this Epistle wrote, "7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." In each case, it is my belief that the Holy Spirit gave a person of faith a little nudge to intervene.

I can remember something from my high school days. When several of us would go to the lunchroom, we would always look for a table with just enough room for us because there was another student that we did not want to sit and eat with us. He was poor, he was shy, there was something in his physical appearance that was different. As I look back, I know that we should have understood, but we did not have a clue that he was crying out for a friend. I don’t know what happened to him. I do know that I placed my feelings, my prejudices, and my friends over and above what I now know God would have had me to do. Many, many years ago I sought forgiveness from God for failing to give love to one who I had tagged as unlovable.

It is a simple equation:

God gave me life and God loves me so much, even as unlovable as I might be because of my sins, that He will forgive me --- if I do not know God’s Love I will simply carry on without knowing the power, blessing and strength of His Love. OR God gave me life and God loves me so much, even as unlovable as I might be because of my sins, that He will forgive me --- if I know His Love and rejoice in His Forgiveness, I will do all that I can to Love the Unlovable.

LET US PRAY:  Heavenly Father, you set the example as you gave Your Love to those that others thought were unlovable, such as Saul of Tarsus, Matthew the tax collector, those gathered at the foot of the Cross, and even the thief on the Cross. Now, Lord. lead me to the unlovable in my life who needs to know your love. Send your Holy Spirit upon me that my eyes and heart might be open to recognize that person. Lord, I also pray that when you led me to that person that your words might flow through my mouth and that your love for him or her might be seen through my actions. As they hear the words from my mouth and the actions from my life, may they see only You. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THIS DEVOTION

Pay attention to the people that you see everyday. It maybe a delivery person, someone who works in your office, store, school, etc., someone you see while standing in line, walking, jogging or on public transportation, or anywhere you might be. Wave, say hello, or nod at everyone that you can and ALWAYS with a smile. If you are in a situation where conversation would be natural such as with a clerk at a store, standing in a line, sitting in a waiting room, attending a meeting or some kind of an event, offer some general comments such as weather related, what an adorable baby, aren’t the people nice here? etc. You never know when and where God will answer your prayer and send one, who thinks he or she is unlovable, to you that they might know and receive God’s love.