In Acts 9, Saul, once a fierce persecutor of Christians, tries to join the disciples in Jerusalem. Understandably, they’re afraid, but Barnabas steps in, vouching for Saul’s transformation and helping others see what God is doing in his life.

Pastor Pete reminds us that loving people well means embracing three powerful truths:

- Don’t overlook someone’s past, but don’t let it define them. Everyone has a story, and sometimes it’s messy. Jesus didn’t ignore our past; He redeemed it.

- Love people in the present. Accept them as they are today. That’s where healing and connection begin.

- Look for the potential in others. Saul became Paul—the greatest missionary of the early church. You never know what God is growing in someone’s life.

Jesus modeled this kind of love for all of us. If we want to love like Him, we must be willing to get past the past, embrace the present, and believe in the future of others even when it’s messy.