What the World Needs Now: How to Love the Unlovely

Be kind. The words are imprinted on T-shirts, bumper stickers—my neighbor even has it on a sign posted in their yard. It’s like a new rule the world has imposed on us, no matter the situation, no matter the person, no matter whether they have a sense of morality or violently oppose yours. Does anyone else wrestle with being kind?

We are to be kind. In fact, the Bible takes it a step further and commands us to love our neighbor. But I’ve discovered there are times when the only way I can love in a world that often opposes my faith and Christian worldview is to remember that God loves me first.

God Loves You

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 NIV

God loves you. In a world that has turned the word love into a cliché—this simple yet profound statement loses its power unless you understand the force of love—the mighty height and width and depth of this love…

—A love that can pull you out of the mess of life to set you high above your enemies.

—A love that sees the sin—and the heart of the sinner with compassion and saving grace.

—A love that offers itself as a ransom when we have willingly or unwittingly sold ourselves into slavery—the bonds of greed and wickedness, lust and self-indulgence.

—A love that remains steadfast when I blow it—that lifts my head when I need it…

A love that transcends this world.

God’s Love Empowers Us to Love

God’s love is a force, not a weakness. His love empowers us to love those around us.

“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:14

His love enables us to love—truly love—our neighbor as ourselves. His love equips us to love the down and out, the destitute, the lost. To love the hateful, the spiteful, the intentionally evil. To love the sinner while hating the sin that has entangled them and threatens to destroy them.

It goes way beyond “being kind,” although it encapsulates the ability to show kindness. This love is a force so strong and compelling it can affect whole civilizations, governments, cities, suburbs, schools, and homes.

Love Covers

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

This love covers a multitude of sins. This love can bring a sinner back from the depths of hell and into the arms of a Savior. This love will not cast a stone, but will pray and ask for the soul of the lost.

“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20

God’s Love is a Force

God’s love is a force that turns the world on its head. It’s not a slogan to be worn on a T-shirt, it’s a powerful force that the world so desperately needs.

Patient and kind. Humble and forgiving. Persevering and tenacious. Always faithful, always hopeful—always there.

This love is not naïve. It doesn’t blink at sin. But it recognizes it and sees into the soul of the one bound by darkness—the man or woman or child who has become captive to the enemy of our souls roaming the earth “like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Love Leads People Home

This world can be a dark and lonely place. Love is the light that guides people home to the One who IS love. The God who first loved you.

God loves you. It’s not as simplistic as it seems. And lest we forget, it’s anchored by the first commandment…

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

How can I love the sinner? How can I love the unlovely? Love begins and ends with our relationship with God. Love Him first and you’ll be empowered to love your neighbor.