Which other scriptures emphasize loving beyond those who love us back? Starting Point: Luke 6:32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” Jesus Stretches the Standard Further • Matthew 5:44-47 – “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?” • Luke 10:33-37 – The Good Samaritan shows costly, one-way love to a stranger in need. • John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another.” Roots in the Old Testament • Leviticus 19:18 – “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” • Deuteronomy 10:18-19 – God “shows love to the foreigner… and you are to love the foreigner.” • Proverbs 25:21-22 – “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” The Apostles Echo the Call • Romans 12:14, 17-21 – “Bless those who persecute you… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Agape love “bears all things… endures all things,” with no mention of reciprocity. • Galatians 6:10 – “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” • 1 Peter 3:9 – “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing.” • 1 John 4:11 – “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Why This Matters Today • Loving beyond mutual affection mirrors God’s own character (Matthew 5:45). • It reveals genuine transformation—anyone can return kindness, but Spirit-empowered love flows toward the undeserving. • Such love becomes evangelistic proof (John 13:35): people recognize Jesus when they see His self-giving love reproduced in His followers. Putting It into Practice • Seek ways to serve those who cannot repay. • Speak blessing over critics or adversaries. • Give practical help—meals, time, resources—to “strangers and sojourners” around you. • Keep the cross in view: Christ loved us “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8), setting the pattern we now walk in. |
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