LOVE YOUR ENEMY

We spoke yesterday about how our lives and the telling of the story of God’s goodness to us can be useful, like salt, to enhance life for others.

But, what if the people God wants us to share with and enhance their lives are our enemies?  Do we still want be vulnerable and share and pray for their lives to be made better?

Jesus gave us very clear instructions about loving our enemies and doing good to those who despitefully use us.  Many of us got caught up in destructive attitudes and behaviours because we didn’t know how to handle the harm inflicted on us by people who did not treat us as they should have.  Where can we find the strength to now love these people?

Jesus was despised, physically abused, and rejected more than any other human and yet from the cross He asked His Father to forgive those who had acted unjustly towards Him.  The challenge for us is to be like Jesus and offer forgiveness to our enemies and those who have mistreated us.

Jesus taught:  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, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:43-45

As followers of Jesus, regardless of the injustice done to us, we are instructed to love our enemies, in part because unforgiveness is like a cancer that eats away at our soul. 

We need to remind ourselves that those who have harmed us will have to account to God for what they have done but we’ll enhance our lives and the lives of our enemies when we practice forgiveness and turn them over to God’s righteous judgment.

In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.

Ecclesiastes 3:17

Heavenly Father, it is hard for us to want any kind of good let alone to love those who hurt us.  But today we are asking You to work in our hearts so that we can forgive our enemies and actually work towards being those who lift them up and help them to find new and satisfying life as well.

Thank You for forgiving us and for Jesus dying on the cross for us while we were still Your enemies. 

We receive healing and comfort for wrongs done to us and we also receive the gift of forgiveness to offer to others, our enemies.  Work in our hearts today so we can actually do that, forgive and release those who have harmed us to You.  Amen

I know it’s a huge challenge but God is up for the challenge.  Will we give Him a chance today?

Further Encouraging Thoughts For Today

Resources For 12 Steps