Now that you have thought over who you have not been having love for, it's time to ask the question: What would Jesus do?
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Let's look at a Bible story today that will help us answer the question above. Jesus did many things while he was on Earth, and that includes when he loved the unlovable just as God loves the unlovable today.
Do you remember the story of Zacchaeus? Zacchaeus was a tax collector who just wanted to see who Jesus was.
"'He entered Jericho and was passing through.2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'” -Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus was a sinner, as we all are, but the people considered him more of a sinner than themselves. They thought Zacchaeus should not be able to spend the day with Jesus. So Zacchaeus wasn't all that popular. Jesus loves each and every one of us, and he walked right over to that sycamore tree and told Zacchaeus to come down. Jesus loved the unlovable. He loved Zacchaeus even though he sinned and made mistakes. When Zacchaeus met Jesus, he said he would give half of his goods to the poor, and restore anything from anyone he may have taken from. When Zacchaeus met Jesus, he wanted Jesus to forgive him, and he wanted to change from his ways.
Now that is a great example of how Jesus loved the unlovable. How can we love the unlovable? Well, we can follow in Jesus' footsteps. We're not perfect, and we can't be perfect like Jesus, but we can still do what he does for others. Love the unlovable. No matter who that is, love them because they are God's children, and they deserve love. They might have wronged you in some way, or done something you don't want to forgive, but God gave you a chance, and you should give them a chance too. God sent His son to die on the cross for your sins, our sins, and everyone should be forgiven. Yes, it's hard to forgive and forget, but how can you love those who hurt you when you have not forgiven them? We have to forgive and forget before we can love one another.
CHALLENGE FOR YOU: Read Luke 10:26-37 today to read how we can love those in need. Let's forgive those who have hurt us, or done something wrong against us, and let's get a step closer to loving one another day by day!
Bible Verse of the Day:
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful..." -1 Corinthians 13:1-13
You should now be able to answer the question: What would Jesus do? Jesus would love everyone even though no one is perfect.
Question of the day: Can you forgive those who have wronged you?
Next, I'm going to write about stepping towards love for others after you have forgiven.
(You can find part one to this series right here if you haven't read it yet: https://miribrooks1.wixsite.com/quoted/post/loving-one-another-day-by-day-part-1)
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