Have you ever tried to share the love of God to others and found it difficult because you don't like this person's character, or this man's smell, or this woman's face? If you've ever had difficulty in reaching out to others because you think they are "unlovable," here's something you should know.
We are unlovable, too.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 tells us that "not a single person on earth is always good and never sins." Psalms 14:2-3 even describes God's failed search for a man who seeks Him: "The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; He looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!"
Truth be told, brother, all men are unlovable before the Lord. We are sinful and are worthy of eternal punishment because of our sins. "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 4-5)
If God loved us who are unworthy, who are we to declare that a person is unlovable?
If you want to be God's hands and feet that will extend His love and mercy to other people, you've got to be willing to do these three things.
1. Stop seeing them from your eyes and see them the way God sees them
You might not like the look on that stranger's face, or the smell of that beggar's clothes, but you've got to realise that being God's representative here on earth isn't about you – it's about God and God alone. So instead of seeing others as "people you don't like," see them as "people God wants to save/love/redeem." When you do, you'll see the difference.
2. Get out of your comfort zone
Nobody wants to let go of something they consider their own, but we have to learn to let go of what's ours if we want to love people like Jesus does. In Mark 10:17-31, we read the account of Jesus talking to a rich young man who wants to follow Christ.
"Teacher," the man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young."
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. "There is still one thing you haven't done," he told him. "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
At this the man's face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:20-23)
We all have to understand that Christ Himself went out of His comfort zone so that He could save us. If we understand that, it won't be hard for us to do the same thing.
3. Enjoy God's love for you
When we don't experience God's love for us, we tend to keep to ourselves. Why? It's because we all feel the need to be complete. When we find ourselves complete in Christ, we can't stop but to go out and share His overflowing love and care for all the people we can reach. Enjoy God's love for you daily. Have your fill, so that you can give it to others who don't have it.
