Love’s High Call

by Terry Wane Benton

Jesus calls us to love even those who will not love us back. In fact, He calls us to love even those who will hate us regardless. That is a tall order. He not only called us up to that standard, but He demonstrated it Himself. To those laughing and mocking, even the ones who called out for His crucifixion, He said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" The idea of "love" is not having a good, warm, and fuzzy feeling toward people who hate us, but to desire their eternal good regardless. It is "goodwill". We cannot settle on being like the world, loving only those who love us, only as long as they love us back. No! That is not the standard.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV).

What is our reward if we only love as everybody else does? God's love is much higher than that, and He will not reward His children if they only do as well as the world. Let's climb up higher in our standards!