Who Are the ‘Unlovely’?

“He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Luke 10:27

 

 

 

Who are the unlovely among us?

Is it the one with dirty body and clothes?

Is it the one who you can smell quite a distance off?

Perhaps the unlovely ones are the ones who do not return your smile and warm greeting.

Regardless of whom we may personally label as unlovely a better question we might challenge ourselves with is this:

Who, in spite of the label we have applied, is unworthy of God’s love being extended to them through us?

I think that question brings it back around to us.

Is it really something in us we must overcome?

Is it fear or pride or past experiences?

What might be today’s equivalent to you of the biblical leper?

Who screams – if not audibly, at least in your head – “Unclean, unclean!” as you approach the ones you have labeled unlovely?

Does the word unlovely give us the excuse not to love them in Jesus name?

Of course it doesn’t.

Jesus showed us that.

He healed the lepers, He ate with sinners, He forgave the adulterer.

So we ask the same question today’s post opened with.

Who are the unlovely among us?

Perhaps it’s not the smelly, uncouth or homeless.

Perhaps it’s those who refuse to share the love of God so freely shared with them.

Sometimes I struggle in this area.

The good news is that God can transform a yielded vessel.

Do you need to yield to His transforming touch in this area of your life?

Ask Him to give you a love beyond your natural ability.

Ask Him to fill you with His supernatural love.

Then allow Him to grow this area of your life.

You will never be the same...

…and others will never be the same because of His transformation in you!