Love Them Anyway

 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

Yesterday the post was about the value that God sees in each of us. I pray that it was encouraging to you and also served as a reminder that He sees all His creation as valuable. That includes those who try our patience, take advantage of us, use us and persecute us. We are called to love them anyway just as Jesus did.

On the night Jesus was betrayed He washed His disciples feet, including the feet of Judas who left shortly after to betray him for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus knew what Judas was about to do and He loved him anyway. As Jesus was nailed to the cross He asked God to forgive those involved because He loved them anyway.

Our sins nailed Him to the cross and it was His love that kept Him there. At any moment He could have called upon God to send legions of angels to fight for Him, but His love for us, His desire to redeem the lost, kept Him there. Try and imagine that kind of love. Love that would suffer immense pain, torture, betrayal, denial, being spit upon and beaten……all for you. All for me.

Now think about the suffering you are dealing with, the trials you are enduring, the pain you are experiencing and follow Jesus’s example by loving them anyway. His love for us didn’t condone the sin nor will your love and forgiveness condone their actions. But loving them anyway will place you in the right position before God who will, in His own way and time, make all things new.

Love them anyway seems like an overwhelming request until you remember that Jesus endured the weight of your sin and loved you anyway.