Love the Unlovable!
By Henry O. Adelegan A lawyer once approached Jesus with a question that has echoed through history: “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). Jesus turned
By Henry O. Adelegan
A lawyer once approached Jesus with a question that has echoed through history: “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). Jesus turned the question back to him: “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” The man answered correctly: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart… and thy neighbour as thyself.” Yet Jesus’ teaching went further, showing that eternal life is not a matter of theory but of action, particularly love for those whom the world rejects.
To illustrate, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–37). A man was beaten, robbed, and left for dead. Religious leaders passed by, avoiding him. Then a Samaritan, considered an outsider and enemy, stopped. He bound wounds, offered care, and provided for the man’s recovery. Jesus asked, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” The lawyer answered, “He that shewed mercy on him.” Jesus concluded, “Go, and do thou likewise.”
The lesson is clear: eternal life is found not in ritual, knowledge, or reputation, but in love that reaches the unlovable. True faith manifests in compassion for the marginalized, mercy for the offender, and generosity for the overlooked. It is in seeing the humanity where others see inconvenience or danger. Psalm 82:3 reminds us, “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.” Eternal life is inseparable from such active, sacrificial love.
Love for the unlovable requires humility and courage. 1 John 3:17–18 challenges us: “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? … let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” Faith without action, like the lawyer’s initial answer, is incomplete. Eternal life is demonstrated in deeds that reflect God’s heart.
Read Also: Abbas: Climate inaction could cost Nigeria $460 billion
The Good Samaritan also shows that love often comes at a cost. Luke 10:35 notes that the Samaritan “took care of him, and departed, on his own expense.” Similarly, Christ calls us to extend grace, help, and kindness even when it is inconvenient, uncomfortable, or directed toward those who seem undeserving. Mark 12:31 reminds us, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” This is the tangible proof of eternal life—love in action, especially toward the unlovable.
Loving like this transforms communities. It heals divisions, restores hope, and reflects the Kingdom of God on earth. Matthew 25:40 teaches, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” The unlovable are the testing ground of genuine discipleship; in serving them, we inherit eternal life.
This Lenten season, kindly identify those around you that the society neglects, rejects, or despises. Extend mercy, provide care, and love sacrificially. Let your faith move beyond words into tangible action. Eternal life is not earned by ritual alone—it is revealed in deeds of love for the unlovable, showing the heart of Christ to a watching world. I pray that your Christianity shall be more evidential in love for the unlovable than in your professed faith and the vaunted hope of a better tomorrow in the name of Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, teach us to love as You love, to serve the unlovable with courage and compassion, and to live in ways that reflect Your eternal life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
