Proverbs 14:21, 31

I probably shouldn’t say this as a Pastor… but some people drive me nuts. I don’t know what it is, they just have an innate ability to find my last nerve and jump on it.

As much as I try to be polite, we end up like oil and water – you stay over there and I stay over here. I know that isn’t what God wants for me.

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

Proverbs 14:21, 31

Proverbs 14 says, “whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner…”

Oooh, yes, I am.

God places us into this world, not to hate, not to despise, not to get annoyed — but to give unwavering grace, unfathomable love to the world. Not just to the people that we love, but to the people that God loves. Because it isn’t OUR love we are showing — it’s His love. This is a High and holy task that we are given, to be a conduit of God’s love, from God to this world. So, what now? Well, it means a few things for you and me.

First, the Love that we have been given, is NOT OUR KIND OF LOVE. It isn’t our “conditional love”. It’s not a “You give me this, and I’ll give you that” kind of love. It’s a love that would sacrifice for the person next to you, even if they are not your friend. The Love we have been given is one that is gentle and kind and faithful, it is not proud or self seeking it does not delight in evil, but it rejoices in the truth. The Love that we have been given is not our kind of love — it is so much better than our love.

The Love that we have been given is NOT OURS TO KEEP. We have been given the love of Jesus so that we can pass it on. Have you ever played a game of tag, and the person who is “it” just stops playing. Ugh. Its selfish and they ruin the fun of the game. Jesus has tagged you into this world, not so that you can sit and say “I’m done playing” but so that you can pass it on. God has uniquely designed you to love this world in a way that only you can.

Act now, don’t wait.

We’ve got to stop looking around and waiting for other people to do the loving that we are called to do. It’s time to start loving even those people we don’t get along with, because they, too, are loved by God. So act now, and don’t wait for someone else to do something — you were made for this.

As you consider this scripture and reflect this week, respond to the following questions:

1. Take time to read 1 Corinthians 13. What is one attribute of love that you need to grow in this week?

2. Who is a person that you need to show some extra love to this week? Go and do likewise.

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