October 28, 2024 Devo

Many people think that to be a Christian simply means to be forgiven. But it’s so much more than that. Jesus doesn’t just forgive our sins when we commit our lives to Him. He puts His Spirit within us. He does that so that He can work in us and live through us. His expectation is that we won’t just go on living as we used to live, but that we would live different lives…better lives…exceptional lives.
Our passage today is an example of what Jesus had in mind. Look at the passage again. “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.” Everyone knows that God has called us to love people. But WHICH people should we love? Jesus, with a nice snip of sarcasm, says that if we only love the people who love us, then our spiritual maturity is equal to that of a “corrupt tax collector.” In other words, not very spiritually mature.
So what does Jesus expect of us? To love as He loved, of course. He didn’t just love those who adored Him, followed Him, and worshiped Him. He loved those who hated Him. He loved those who rejected Him. He loved those who deserted Him. He loved those who denied Him. He loved those who betrayed Him. Jesus loved the unlovely, the unloving, and those that others thought unlovable. His love was EXCEPTIONAL. So should ours be.
How are you doing with that? Are you loving just toward those at work or school who are nice to you or are you loving toward those who are difficult, argumentative, and snippy as well? You see, the real test of “Jesus love” isn’t how you act toward those you enjoy being around. It’s how you respond to those who are rude, mean, or arrogant. When you love only those who love you, you act just like the rest of the world. Jesus has called you to more. He’s called you to live higher and holier. Jesus loved YOU when you were at your worst. He expects you to go and do the same. Let go of being ordinary. Be the EXCEPTIONAL! That’s God’s Word for you today.