Ultimate Love
2 Samuel 1:4-12
David had every reason to release a sigh of relief at news of Saul's death, yet he wept.
Fans of college basketball will easily recognize the name of Bobby Knight. The over-the-top coach has been known to scream, throw items, and show many signs of tantrum when upset during a game. Conversely, the legendary UCLA coach John Wooden was known for his calm, logical approach to the game that endeared him to fans across the nation. The two were such a stark contract in coaching styles that a reporter once pressed Coach Wooden to say something negative about former Indiana University coach Knight. Woodren replied, "I think Bob Knight is an outstanding teacher of the game of basketball, but I don't approve of his methods. But I'm not a judge, and I'm not judging Bob Knight. There is so much bad in the rest of us and so much good in the worst of us, it hardly behooves me to talk about the rest of us." Although Wooden didn't agree with Knight, he respected his accomplishments and chose to focus on his good rather than bad.
In life, we will come across people with whom we don't agree. These people could even possibly go so far as to intentionally hurt us or slander us in some way. Yet despite their actions toward us, God desires that we would love them.
Saul had done little good toward David. He had threatened, pursued, and hunted David. Yet twice David refused to harm Saul or take his life. In 2 Samuel 1:11, we see David's reaction to news of Saul's death, "Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him." David had every reason to release a sigh of relief at the news, yet showed the love of God by weeping for the death of God's servant.
How do you view those whom oppose you? Would you rejoice or mourn their death? Often we can become so engrossed in the opposition we receive from others that we forget God's command to love all.
God asks you a very sobering question in Matthew 5:46-47, "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?"
What makes you different from non-believers if you only love those who agree with you? God's command to love doesn't stop at the boundaries of the body of Christ. It isn't negated by man's actions. God's command is simply to love all.
David's love for Saul was evident in his actions. How are your actions showing your love for others? Are you loving even your enemies?
Exodus 25-26 | Matthew 20:17-34
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