"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28) NIV

Love... we all want it. We all want to be considered loving, and we know everyone needs it. When it comes to loving others however we struggle to be genuine. We disguise politeness as love. We think that as long as we appear loving the attitudes of our heart are not crucial. We neglect to love from the transformed heart Jesus give us and we simply try to be polite. We take the easy way out.

"If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity?" (Luke 6:32-34) The Message

Have you been taking the easy way out? Here is where we know whether we are loving or not, whom do we love? We study how to love and when to love. We gather our methods and our to do lists. Then we find someone comfortable, or familiar to practice on. Love becomes the action we reserve for those we want to give it to. But, who do you love? If you just love the lovable you are not loving the way Jesus instructs.

The ultimate story of loving the unlovable has some familiar characters. God is the unconditional lover and you and I are the unlovable's. We were the enemies. We were the ones that mistreated His goodness and sinned against Him. Yet, God chose to take the initiative to present what real love is like.

Love is active.

God loved you and I beyond a financial donation, a trivial gift, or a few hours of volunteering. He loved you and I enough to send His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Jesus gave everything to display what true love looks like. (Rom. 5:8)

Love is sacrificial.

Look beyond those that are in your "comfort zone" of love and reach out to love those who will require sacrifice. Love those who persecute your opinions and agenda. Love those who mistreat your ideas and efforts. Love those who are so difficult to love that it costs you everything. Then you will began to understand what it means to love.

Read the story in Luke 10:30-37 of the Good Samaritan and find a complete stranger in need of love this week for you to practice this kind of love that Jesus calls you and I to.

-Josh