Everyday God sends his sun to shine on the just and the unjust alike – blessing both those who acknowledge him and those who don’t. And he does the same when he sends the rain. He is perfect in love and calls us to do the same.
Of course, it’s much easier to treat others as they treat us.
We’re kind to those who are kind to us. And we’re tempted to harm those who harm us. And even when we’re not actively seeking to cause harm to the other, we tend to withhold our love and kindness toward them at the very least.
Jesus reminds us that God’s love is not conditioned on the other – even to the point of blessing those who would otherwise curse him and want nothing to do with him.
This is a high call to be sure. But Jesus shows us it’s possible.
Being perfect in love means we’re then also offering our life, our strength, and our gifts to others whether they appreciate it or not.
There’s a general goodness we provide for everyone.
This doesn’t mean we force our gift onto others. Wisdom is still needed in how we show up and offer ourselves.
And this doesn’t deny the fact that we still have a special relationship and responsibility to those closest to us. We must still care for our own.
But this does mean we pour out our blessings on all – choosing to love even our enemies.
As God created the sun to shine and the rain to water the earth, he’s created us to reflect his love throughout the world as well.
And we rob others of God’s goodness when we hold back the glory he has given us to share.
In the end, be generous in offering your strength and gifting to others – friends and enemies alike. And in this way, be perfect in love even as God is perfect.
