The Love of God

   “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

   How can God love the evil and the wicked among us?  How can He ask us to do the same?  It is because God is all love.  He harbors no hate, no dislike toward anyone.  He abhors sin but is generous to the sinner.  He seeks only good for all and gives all the opportunity to partake of His mercy and love.

   God does not love us because we are good.  If we are good it is because He loves us.  By accepting His love we can become better than we were before; we can become good.  Those who choose evil do so by rejecting His love.

   God will never turn away one who seeks Him in honesty and repentance; He forgives all who sincerely ask and welcomes them into His family.  He gives the sinner many opportunities to come to Him.  We sometimes wonder why evil people are granted wealth, prosperity and long life.  I think God allows them success to encourage them to see that everything that benefits them is a gift from Him.  In His generosity He gives them the opportunity to recognize His love and turn to Him.

   We can never know God’s reason for what He does.  All we can do is trust and be confident that all He does is done out of love.  Love for each of His children, even those who have gone astray.  Love that offers a second, third and many more chances for change.  Love that never waivers.

Father You love all.

You bless both the good and the bad.

You reach out in love calling Your children home.

Help everyone respond to Your loving call.

Amen