2. 1. It is a “how” question but it can be a “why” question such as “why should I love those who I do not want to?” 2. A second aspect to consider revolves around defining “love” and the shades that love can come in. 3. And a third aspect is to consider what is meant by “unlovable”.

3. * We may find some people unlovable whereas someone else loves them dearly. * Who do you find hard to love?

4. * 1 John 4:8 and 16-21 on page 1902 * 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. * … because in this world we are like him. * 1Jn 4:19 We love because he first loved us * … 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

5. * “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

6. * Why do you ask? * Luke 10:25-37

7. * Good – Wish Them No Harm. * Consider Judas: * Matthew 5:43-48 Page 1503 * …Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,… * 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? * … 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

8. * Even when people have hurt us God can bring us to the state when they come to mind we wish them well. * We can love the sinner and hate the sin and the damage that it has caused.

9. * Ephesians 4:32-5:2 reminds us to “Forgive as God forgave you” * Romans 5:6-11 on page 1753 * …when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. * …But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. * …when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son,

10. * Follow the Leader! * Jesus shows us the why and the how. * Why – To avoid the darkness. * How – Change perspective and offer forgiveness.

11. * 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 on page 1799. * …those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. * …if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! * …gave us the ministry of reconciliation: * …not counting men’s sins against them. * … 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

12. * It requires a change of focus and letting go of the desire to bring about justice.

13. * How are you going to put this into practice for the “unlovables” in your life? * How do you handle knowing that you are one of the unlovables! * Love is a choice and Jesus enables us to make the best choices even when we do not feel like it.

14. * Open Sunday Looking at the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus.