Loving the Unlovable

I've been reading through the book of Matthew and marking up my Bible as Christ interacts with people around Him.  I'm striving to ask the questions, "In what way did Christ instruct others?" and "How did He demonstrate love towards others?"  Christ challenges his followers by asking them, "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matthew 5:46-47).

Christ is demonstrating what He values and prioritizes.  Christ wants us to love those who are the hardest to love.  For some it might be those who are poor and needy.  For others it may be those who you detest the most.  Nonetheless, it reveals the true love that we have for Jesus Christ by the way that we love on the unlovable people in our lives.  

Here are seven ways to strive to love the unlovable people in our lives:

1.  Understand why they may be acting the way that they are acting.  They may have had a very bad upbringing or a very negative experience in their life.  It is easy to be critical when we have not walked a mile in another person's shoes.
2. Pray for them.  This is of course what Jesus commands.  When we sincerely pray for someone, we begin to have a heart for that person, a true concern for their well being and a desire for their highest good.
3. Look at them through God's eyes.  God sees them as unique and sent His Son to die for their soul.  Life may have scarred and hardened them but yet they are made in His image.  Seeing them as God sees them will cause us to see their worth.
4. Forgive them.  It is very difficult to forgive those who have hurt us but it is what God expects of us (Eph. 4:32).  It is not condoning their foolishness or sinful action but it is releasing them and placing it under the blood of Jesus Christ, which allows us to avoid bitterness towards them.
5. Choose to be a vessel of God's grace.  This may be hard but it typifies a Christ like spirit.  Those who have been forgiven should forgive much.  Most people would expect to be shunned and not given a second chance.  Let's show great grace and begin the healing process. 
6. Treat them in a way that you would like to be treated.  Imagine a world that practiced the golden rule.  We can impact others in loving ways that may turn their behavior around.  It sends a message that you truly care and love them and it breaks the chain of negativity.  
7. Seek to serve them.  Please don't tune me out.  By choosing to serve and walking in humility, you intentionally plant healthy seeds of love and reconciliation.  This may shock them but it will go far with the right motive.