Chapter 4 The God-kind of Love

On a certain day, Jesus and His disciples were passing through Samaria on their way to Jerusalem. He had sent some of His disciples ahead to prepare a place in the Samaritan city, likely a lodging. However, the Samaritans would not accept Him.

When word came back of what had happened, James and John said to Jesus, "Master, shall we order fire down from heaven to burn them up?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, saying, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." (Luke 9:54-56 )

The Power of Love Over Judgment

Did you notice that Jesus didn't say they couldn't call down fire from heaven? He knew they had the power to do so. If Elijah could do it, His disciples could certainly do it too. However, Jesus rebuked them and commanded them not to use their power in that way.

Jesus made it clear that the spirit they were made of-the spirit of love-was more interested in saving lives than destroying them. Jesus demonstrated, in that moment, what God is truly like: loving, merciful, and willing to save, even when provoked. He showed them that God doesn't have emotional outbursts, and that His love is not conditional based on human behavior. He loves people and desires to save them rather than punish them.

In today's world, many still resort to calling down fire and brimstone on people, forgetting the kind of spirit they are made of. God desires that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). His love is pure, kind, unselfish, patient, and tolerant. It's the kind of love that includes and cares about others, even in the depths of their sin.

Living Like Jesus

In Matthew 5:44-48, Jesus gave us the clear command to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us. He said:

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

This is Christ-like living. If a person is truly spiritual and follows Jesus in spirit and truth, they will live by this command. Yet, in many churches today, we see the opposite. Many believers pray against their enemies rather than for them. They would rather do evil than good to those who persecute them, and curse rather than bless those who curse them.

I once heard a popular preacher say he didn't agree with these teachings of Jesus. Yet, this is the man multitudes follow. He claims to be a disciple of Jesus but doesn't follow His teachings. Imagine the kind of believers he will be raising.

The Higher Law of Love

As believers, we are judged by a higher law-the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. God desires that we love others the same way He has loved us. This doesn't mean we ignore the fact that some people will try to frustrate or destroy us. However, we must understand that human beings are not our enemies.

Our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Satan will continue to mobilize people and situations against the plans and purposes of God. As spiritual warriors, we must be discerning and recognize that our battle is against the devil, not against people.

Loving Our Enemies

Our leaders, neighbors, friends, and even family members are not the problem. Satan is the one influencing and controlling them, making them work against us. We are not called to destroy them. Instead, we are to deal with the spirit behind their actions and pray for their deliverance.

Just the same way we don't kill someone because they have cancer but we fight the disease to save the person, similarly, we don't fight people; we fight against the demonic forces that influence them.

The Heart of Man Without God

Every human being has the natural potential to be wicked without God. Whether saved or unsaved, we all have unlimited potential for wickedness. It is inborn in every human being because of the sin nature. This was why Jesus had to come to earth, offered Himself as sacrifice, and obtained salvation and redemption for all mankind.

The Bible states, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). It is by God's love that we are changed-not by our own goodness, but by His grace.

I believe if we walk in love and trust God, He will take care of the other things in our lives. The mistake we've made is allowing those who know nothing about God to teach us about God. We've let those who have never experienced God's love try to educate us about who He is and what He desires.

No wonder Paul warned us not to conform to the culture of the world but to allow God to transform our thinking (Romans 12:2). We cannot let the world teach us how to love. We must learn love from God through His Word-the Bible.

The World's Influence on the Church

Today, many young people are leaving the church because they don't find the love they desperately need. Unbelievers come to Christ, but soon get discouraged and return to the world because the church demands "perfection" instead of showing love. Even the unsaved recognize that something is terribly wrong with the way some believers live their lives. You often hear them say, "And you call yourself a child of God"

Yes, they may be unsaved. They may even have and read the Bible except that they do not practice it. However, they expect us to live it out before them. As believers, it is our responsibility to reflect the love of God in everything we do. If we walk in His love, we will draw others to Christ.

Reflection Questions

1. How do you typically respond to people who reject, oppose, or mistreat you-and how does that compare with Jesus' response in Luke 9:54-56?

2. In what ways have you allowed culture, tradition, or public opinion to shape your understanding of love more than the teachings of Jesus?

3. Are there people in your life you've treated as the enemy, rather than recognizing the spiritual forces behind their actions? How can you start loving and praying for them instead?

4. What practical steps can you take this week to reflect the God-kind of love-especially toward someone who challenges or offends you?