Most of us don’t have a problem loving people who love us back. That is why the challenge Jesus gave His followers seems so unattainable: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

It is interesting that Jesus gave God as our model when He said, “Your Father in heaven...causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Perhaps you are thinking, That’s fine for God but I’m not God. I cannot love the people who have mistreated me in life. Apart from God’s help, that is true. But the Scriptures say, “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Love is the central message of the Christian church. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Imagine what would happen if the single adults who call themselves Christians truly acted this way. Everyone desperately needs love. And those who give love are those who truly succeed.