Move Toward the Unlovable
“But love your enemies, do what is good…” - Luke 6:35a (CSB)
By now, you know what Jesus is asking.
Love in this passage is active. It is directional. It moves toward people who do not deserve it. It initiates. It refuses to wait for better conditions.
This is where everything becomes practical.
You cannot love the unlovable from a distance. You cannot forgive privately while remaining relationally cold. You cannot claim mercy while withholding presence. At some point, love must step forward.
This does not mean reckless vulnerability. It does not mean ignoring wisdom. It does not mean pretending boundaries do not exist. But it does mean obedience becomes visible.
The gospel always moves first. God did not wait for you to stabilize before pursuing you. He did not wait for maturity before extending grace. He did not wait for apology before sending His Son.
He moved toward you. And now you are called to reflect that motion.
Moving toward the unlovable may look small. A conversation. A prayer for their good. A refusal to speak ill of them. A choice to serve when it costs you comfort. Love is not always dramatic. Often it is quiet and costly.
And remember, this is not about proving yourself. It is about reflecting your Savior.
The world understands fairness. It understands revenge. It understands leverage. But when believers move toward difficult people with mercy, something distinct appears. Something that cannot be explained by personality alone.
It looks like Jesus.
The question is no longer whether the command is hard. It is whether you trust the One who gave it.
Love moves.
Reflection Question
What specific step can you take this week to move toward someone you would rather avoid?
The gospel moves first. So do we.
Prayer
Father, thank You for moving toward me when I was far from You. Give me courage to move toward those who are difficult, not from pride, but from grace. Shape my obedience so that it reflects Christ clearly. Help me love actively, wisely, and faithfully. Amen.
By now, you know what Jesus is asking.
- He is not asking for tolerance.
- He is not asking for politeness.
- He is not asking you to simply avoid retaliation.
Love in this passage is active. It is directional. It moves toward people who do not deserve it. It initiates. It refuses to wait for better conditions.
This is where everything becomes practical.
You cannot love the unlovable from a distance. You cannot forgive privately while remaining relationally cold. You cannot claim mercy while withholding presence. At some point, love must step forward.
This does not mean reckless vulnerability. It does not mean ignoring wisdom. It does not mean pretending boundaries do not exist. But it does mean obedience becomes visible.
- Who is the person you instinctively avoid?
- Who do you replay arguments with in your mind?
- Who do you feel justified in staying distant from?
- Not because they changed.
- Not because they apologized.
- Not because they earned it.
The gospel always moves first. God did not wait for you to stabilize before pursuing you. He did not wait for maturity before extending grace. He did not wait for apology before sending His Son.
He moved toward you. And now you are called to reflect that motion.
Moving toward the unlovable may look small. A conversation. A prayer for their good. A refusal to speak ill of them. A choice to serve when it costs you comfort. Love is not always dramatic. Often it is quiet and costly.
And remember, this is not about proving yourself. It is about reflecting your Savior.
The world understands fairness. It understands revenge. It understands leverage. But when believers move toward difficult people with mercy, something distinct appears. Something that cannot be explained by personality alone.
It looks like Jesus.
The question is no longer whether the command is hard. It is whether you trust the One who gave it.
Love moves.
Reflection Question
What specific step can you take this week to move toward someone you would rather avoid?
The gospel moves first. So do we.
Prayer
Father, thank You for moving toward me when I was far from You. Give me courage to move toward those who are difficult, not from pride, but from grace. Shape my obedience so that it reflects Christ clearly. Help me love actively, wisely, and faithfully. Amen.
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