We get so much out of love! Caring for people gains us mutual care, respect and the valuable experience of being part of a community. Love is a tool for unity and growth and change and the only way to make friends out of strangers. But what about enemies?

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

Matthew 5:46

Actually love is not about keeping the friends you have or being kind to those who are kind to you. Love is outward, proactive and abounding. Love is the superior version of diplomacy; the diplomat seeks peace and compromise for the mutual benefit of two would-be enemies but the Christian servant heart pours out love on the enemy for the glory of God, even if that is to the Christian individual’s disadvantage. Disadvantage, ultimately, which only exists in a fading, Earthly sense.

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Luke 16:9

Love is rewarding and God’s blessings superabundant but those blessings are Spiritual and the reward eternal; everything else is credited to us as an investment in the eternal destiny of those who still need to learn of God’s love.

Ethan Kirl