Loving Those Who Are Behave Egotistically Or Are Cold And Unfeeling
Loving those who behave egotistically or are cold and unfeeling is an act of pure love. It is the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated for us. "We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us" (1 John 3:16). Christ's death on the cross protects us from our own apathy and wickedness. He provides a refuge for sinners and a hope for despairing people. Christ's love changes lives. How did He demonstrate this love? "Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). In the midst of great wealth and honor, Jesus gave up all His rights to minister to sinners. He was not motivated by personal gain. He did not minister out of obligation.
Conversely, those who are egotistical and cold are learned in evil. They try to persuade others that their way is the only way. They are not interested in hearing the Word of God. They do not love God. Their hearts are hardened against Him. Their focus is on their own interests and puffed up with pride in their abilities and talents. They are self-centered, uncaring, and unmerciful.
Love does not look for perfection or good works, or a fixed degree of piety. Rather Jesus loved those who were wretched and wicked (Psalm 14:1). Jesus loved the sinner, not for what he could do for Christ, but for Christ's sake. His love reached down to the vilest and basest of sinners. It was a love that yearned to save the most wretched and lost from a life of sin (Luke 15:2).
The wisdom of God is so wonderful! It brings us into contact with those whom we might otherwise ignore. To minister to these unfeeling and egotistical people with love is an act of pure love on our part.
Prayer: LORD, Your love reaches out to those who are cold and unfeeling. It saves them from their own apathy and wickedness. It brings them into contact with You so that they might become rich in knowledge of You, willing to worship You, and accurately reflect Your glory in the world. Amen.
As always, I am deeply indebted to the Holy Spirit and the writings of Thomas Watson. I have added some commentary of my own.
Hebrews 12:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Therefore this is what He says: "I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Mk 10:17-27 New International Version (NIV)
As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and kneeled down to Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher,[a] what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One—God. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up." Jesus looked at him and loved him and said to him, "You lack one thing; go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me. And when he heard this he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Loving those who are egotistical and cold is an act of pure love on our part. It is the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated for us."
It is not about the convictions we have; but about the decision to be set free from our own opinions and selfish desires.
Why does God command us to Love? It is because God loves us unconditionally. We are given the opportunity to make a choice. That choice will not change our existence, but it can change our attitude. It is about setting ourselves free from sin and selfishness, in order to love one another more fully.
As St. Paul wrote: "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live" ( Romans 8:13 ).
The life style of most is destructive . . . These people are both cold and egotistical. They are very proud, and self-righteous. They begrudge others their good fortune. They do not consider the rights of others to equal theirs. I have seen a man on television who was describing people like this.
Conclusion:
What then is the purpose of God in allowing us to suffer? He wants us to see ourselves for who we really are. We must understand that we are not showing love when we accept someone as they are, and avoid confronting them with their sin. Love is "patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." (1 Cor. 13:4).