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Show Notes

Last time we spoke of what love may or may not entail. It has, since then, been on my mind to offer an example of what loving the unlovable looks like in my own life. This is by no means the sum total of how this is accomplished in my life. Nor is this meant to be an all-inclusive discussion on the matter. I am kind of expecting you to connect some of the dots and talk with God to determine how best to show his love to others. Anyway, this is what we are going to explore here in episode 8.

My name is Charles, and this is the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. A podcast for those who want a deeper faith, not a confusing one. That is what our name is about, keeping faith in Christ simple enough for a child like me to understand it and yet, not so shallow that when the storms of life hit, our faith runs aground. 

The example I’m sharing today is that of one who recently cheated me out of some money. I have debated how much detail to share and the conclusion I have reached is that I have now shared enough. Though I can say it was for more than $200. That is enough to get someone classified as unlovable, at least from my perspective.

So, how do I express God’s love to one who basically stole from me? The greatest good a Christian can do is to pray that God may draw the unlovable unto himself. And I prayed that he may do so through me. Did you catch that? Through me, the one who has been wronged. If God is the source of my joy and happiness how can I be so unloving as to not pray for those who also need his love in their lives?

You do not think this to be loving? Try it sometime. Offer yourself as a conduit through which God may demonstrate his love to one who has wronged you… and absolutely mean it. Ask God to bless them, to provide them with his joy and happiness, and that you be allowed to be a part of this. For we are warned against wishing someone well but then doing nothing to actually help them out (James 2:15 – 17). And make sure you are doing so without also secretly hoping that God gets even with them for the way they treated you. This involves forgiveness, which we will discuss next time.

But for now, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13). Laying down one’s life, one’s right to be avenged for wrongs done, one’s sense of fairness at having a wrong righted, one’s…. Well, to phrase it simply, to give up one’s right to one’s self so that all may know God, his love, and his forgiveness.

Yes, the above verses mention doing this for friends, yet Jesus also says, “Love your enemies, and do good to them” (Lk 6:35). Are not our enemies fairly unlovable to us? They are to me and I imagine I am not that unique in this perspective. I was very angry with the above individual. Very angry. Yet, Jesus further explains what he means by loving our enemy, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). Love the unlovable, do good to them, and pray for them.

In other words, learn to love as Jesus does. Not as we would, but as he does. This is an important difference. Only God can teach you this.

And remember, by unlovable it is meant any trait that drives us to distraction. This could be found in an enemy, friend, co-worker, family member, or even a fellow church member. This unloveliness may have annoyed, embarrassed, or hurt us greatly. It is anything that causes us to not like someone. My example is merely the one that came quickest to mind.

Thankfully, this is not about being “perfect.” Love does not require perfection; love transforms into perfection. Otherwise, I would be in a world of hurt. Rather, this is about growing in and sharing God’s love, as much as possible and as wisely as possible. Jesus even says he will help us learn how. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given to him” (Jas 1:5). “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Mt 7:7).

Let us pray (ask) for wisdom in loving well. I ask that you pray this for me even as I pray this for you. Asking that God “may give [us] a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Eph 1:17). It is as we implement this wisdom that we can:

Love simply, love wisely, and love well.

Well, what do you think? I’d love to hear from you, so please, go to simplenotshallow.com, and under the Simple Not Shallow Podcast section, find this episode, #8, and leave a comment for me there. Also, in the show notes, I’ll list all the verses I referenced, in the order and at the location in the transcript at which I referenced them. That way you can check me out to make sure I’m not totally in left field.  Also, please take a second to rate this episode and subscribe to this podcast through iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify… or whichever service you use. Thank you. I’ll catch you next time.

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