Suppose that someone were to ask the question, who do you love?  What would our answer be?  Who would be at the top of our list?  Most likely those we would think of first would be the people who love us in return.  Hopefully God would be at the top of that list as well.  But would any of us have mentioned people who openly hate us?  If we are being honest, probably not many of us would have answered that way.

            Let us consider for a moment what is written for our learning in Romans 5:6-11.  In this passage we are reminded that when we were without strength, when we were unrighteous, when we were yet sinners, and when we were enemies of God, He sent His only Son to die on the cross for us.  Imagine sending your only child to die for the benefit of people that hate you.  Could you do it?  This passage says “but God” showed His love for us by sending Christ to die for our sins while we were less than unworthy (v. 8).

            If we only love those who love us, we are no better than the heathen (Matthew 5:46-47).  Instead Jesus encourages us to love our enemies and to strive to do good to all men.  If we would be willing to share the good news of the gospel with anyone, no matter if they love us or hate us, what better way could there be to show our love and concern for them and their eternal soul?