Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
Two verses in Luke 6 challenge us to love the unlovable.
Key Points:
- This passage is found in the Gospel of Luke. Luke wrote this book to chronicle the life and ministry of Jesus. Two main groups are in mind in this passage: there were the followers of Jesus and the hardline Jews. The followers of Jesus believed that he was the promised Messiah but the Jews didn’t accept this. These two groups had a hard time loving each other due to this conflict.
- This verse came to Sheri’s attention when she was confronted with a difficult person in her personal life. Her first response to this situation was to withdraw from this person was to create distance. But she discovered this verse and felt that God was calling her to do something different. It was so impactful that she put the verse in a frame and has it prominently placed on her desk as a constant reminder.
- This passage challenged Sheri to think differently about love. Many of us think love is a passive thing. Just saying “I love you” or not wishing ill will is loving enough. But it was the second verse that really challenged Sheri. Love is actually a proactive thing, it’s about doing good to the other person. It’s about putting yourself out there to be kind and to do all you can to make peace.
- Sheri looked for ways to be kind and to serve to this person. She had to put herself in their shoes and find ways to do things that meant something to them.
- The measure of success on loving someone isn’t dependent upon the other person’s response. What matters is that you try to love that person and do all you can to make peace. The rest is up to the other person.
Quote This:
TeLuke 6:32-33 If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much!xt
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share about a time a person hurt or offended you. Describe all the feelings you associated with this person. How did you react to that person at the time?
- On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at being gracious toward someone who has hurt you? Explain.
- Why is our first reaction often to hurt those who hurt us?
- Read Luke 6:27-33. Identify all that Jesus commands of us in this passage. Why do you think Jesus would teach to love your enemy? Why don’t we get as much credit for loving those who love us versus those that don’t?
- Read Philippians 4:13. Think about a person in your life that you need to be more loving towards. In what ways do you need God’s strength to help you love this person?
- Read Colossians 3:12-15. Identify all the things we should do from this passage. What are some practical steps you can take to show love to those you don’t like?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
This is part of the Life Verses for Women series.
