Love them like Jesus

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." - James 2:8-10 

They were once local business men, dependable leaders in their families or just good neighbors. Today, for many sad reasons, they are homeless, unkempt and have an unpleasant smell. Occasionally, they stop into the Goodwill Mission to have a bite to eat and maybe a warm bed for the night. It's good to see some of our church family take the time every month and spend an evening with these men who are "down and out". How can we love one another and not take time to love the unlovable?

James called us to a deeper level of compassion when he challenged our "Love Capacity". It's easy to love those who love us back and those who are lovable. Such are the people we choose to show that extra interest and care. But, if we are going to be consistent in our obedience to the second greatest commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39), we must take time to love the "down and out" of our world.

Today you will meet someone. They will not win your attention or your desire to show compassion. They may offend you by their conduct and attire. How will you choose to treat them, my friend? Will you avoid them in the name of inconvenience or will "Love them like Jesus"?