Matthew: 5:46. “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans (tax collectors) the same?”

Sometimes as Christian we can forget who our Father in heaven is. What character he has and what type of righteousness he expects from us. Jesus, the Word of God came to inform us about who our Father in heaven is. Through his sermon on the mount he says many things about our character, His Father’s character and the world’s character.

The above scripture talks about two common types of characters, the just and unjust. If you are a follower of Christ you live by faith, and if you are a follower of the world you live by sight. So as Christians why do we say we have love yet only show it to other Christians, or other worldly people who love us back. The Word is saying here, your love should not have any respect of persons because “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2.11). Don’t get me wrong, I am not accusing you, but I am highlighting the Word to your Spirit, that when you say you love like Jesus, your love should cover the just and unjust. When God raises up the sun, it covers the evil and the good, when he pours rain on this earth, it falls on the wicked and righteous.

Therefore, walking in his righteous love is like seeing two people walking on the street. One man is in tattered clothing and is drunk with wine, another is nicely clothed and well mannered. The love in you should command your actions to greet both with open arms.

Walking by faith allows you to see the unseen, to believe in the unbelievable. Meaning if your neighbour has persecuted or praised you, your ability to show love as a response should not waver.

James 3: 8-10 says “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, which are made after the similitude (likeness) of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be”.

So as Jesus says in our opening verse, so “if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” The world loves by sight because that is as far as the eye can see, we walk by faith, therefore let our love see and walk for eternity, just as our Father who is in heaven. Show mercy always, forgive always, and love like Jesus.