For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
To love only those who love in return brings no thanks and proves nothing about belonging to God, because even sinners love those who love them. That answering love in sinners is possible because their hearts are not utterly closed to God's Spirit, yet the same persons return hate for hate. Membership in God's family is shown not by earthly rank, birth, nationality, or religious privilege, but by sharing His nature in a love that embraces all humanity.
Those who claim to be God's sons and daughters are therefore called to a higher, distinctive and generous love that loves enemies, does good, lends hoping for nothing in return, is kind to the unthankful and to the evil, and is merciful as the Father is merciful. Love in return for hatred can come only from the Spirit of God. Living this love makes people the children of the Highest with great reward, the insignia of the royalty of heaven and the sure token of their high estate.
This Christlike love reaches beyond a few congenial favorites to people who especially need kindness and compassion. Held in this higher love, people are kept from speaking evil, backbiting, falsely accusing, and thinking evil of those God is using.
To love only those who love in return brings no thanks and proves nothing about belonging to God, because even sinners love those who love them. That answering love in sinners is possible because their hearts are not utterly closed to God's Spirit, yet the same persons return hate for hate. Membership in God's family is shown not by earthly rank, birth, nationality, or religious privilege, but by sharing His nature in a love that embraces all humanity.
Those who claim to be God's sons and daughters are therefore called to a higher, distinctive and generous love that loves enemies, does good, lends hoping for nothing in return, is kind to the unthankful and to the evil, and is merciful as the Father is merciful. Love in return for hatred can come only from the Spirit of God. Living this love makes people the children of the Highest with great reward, the insignia of the royalty of heaven and the sure token of their high estate.
This Christlike love reaches beyond a few congenial favorites to people who especially need kindness and compassion. Held in this higher love, people are kept from speaking evil, backbiting, falsely accusing, and thinking evil of those God is using.