“And I will very gladly spend
and be spent for your souls,
though the more abundantly I love you,
the less I am loved.”
2nd Corinthians 12:15

The apostle Paul is such a living example of Christ-likeness. Though he receives rejection and all kinds of opposition and persecution, he doesn’t return spite for spite, in fact he loves all the more. All the more!!!

If you’ve received rejection from loved ones, from family, from acquaintances at work, from friends, from enemies, don’t return spite for spite but love all the more, for it is Christ in you loving, no matter what. It is the grace of God. Give it free reign in your heart.

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy;
love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own,
is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never fails.”
1st Corinthians 13:4-8

In all painful or frustrating circumstances, take the occasion to love all the more, knowing that this is Christ-like and immensely pleasing to the Father.