In the kingdom of God it is different. Jesus gives substance and depth to the word, “This is how you love!.”
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that." Luke 6: 32
If my definition of love is to feel good or like someone or something, then I will not love as Jesus loves.
"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, …” Luke 6:35-36
God’s love is a call to action.
It is a command to care for the well being of another; whether it is a friend or an enemy, there is no exception. This is unfamiliar and strange to the world. This love sets you apart.
It’s a love that prefers others, sees more in others, hopes more for others than for oneself.
This is the love that sees God in those who live in our every moments.
This is the love that changes the world, because it moves through the Father’s heart.
This is a love that is not often seen. A love that lays down its life so that others may have life and have it to the fullest.
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18
Jesus tells us to love our enemy, the person who damages us, the one who slanders us, the one who hurts us, robs us, violates us.
This is not a feel good action, but a step into holiness and redemption for the sake of the offender.
“God is love, and the person who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. This is how love has been perfected among us:…” 1 John 4:16-17
To truly love and care unconditionally requires the presence of God in our hearts. If we don’t care, or fail to see the offender as worthy of God’s love, we don’t have His presence fully in us.