Loving the Unworthy
By T. S. Candee on May 9, 2022 in 3-Minute Daily Devotions for Men
Something inside most people, even many Christians, recoils at the thought of doing good for those who mistreat or disrespect them. But today’s verse reflects the teachings of Jesus Himself when He said,
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
The answer to the question Jesus poses here, of course, is “none,” and that’s because God calls you to a higher life than those who don’t know Him.
This is a question of trust, for it requires you to believe God when He says that He will set things right and that He will reward you for acts of kindness toward the undeserving.
Do you trust God enough to respond to those who mistreat you or speak ill of you, with love and compassion? When you respond to the “unlovable” that way, you can trust God for the rewards that come with doing what makes no human sense.
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the Lord shall reward thee.
