Photo by By Mike Chaffin
If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.” Matthew 5:46
Back in 1993 when milk consumption dropped in California the dairy organization went to work with one of the most successful marketing campaigns in America. They simply asked, “Got milk?” This simple slogan reminded us about the goodness of milk and brought us back to a happier time. In a similar fashion, Jesus is simply asking here, “Got love?”
But not just if you have enough love for those who love back, but enough love to give to everyone whether they love you back or are a hater. Jesus goes on to explain what he means.
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. Matthew 5:43-45
Then He asks it again just to drive the point home.
47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:47-48
It’s important to recognize and remember when the Bible repeats itself it is an extremely important command or lesson to live out. When it appears three times, we better be living it out or we risk living in sin. John takes Jesus words and condenses them down to a sharp point in a series of verses.
- The Imperative of Love
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10
For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 1 John 3:11
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 1 John 3:14
- The Outworking of Love
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16
So, the next time a choice between loving someone or turning a deaf ear presents itself, remember these simple words, “Got Love?”
Contemplation: I am not commanded to love evil. I am told not to love the things of this world. But I am told to love people, even my enemies. How well am I obeying Jesus?
