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In Hope

Love Your Enemies

Wednesday March 25, 2020


Going forward in recovery is about becoming mature and doing things differently.  Jesus’ instruction to us today is very challenging.  It’s not for the faint of heart but it is truly life-giving. 


Jesus said:  You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.  (Matthew 5:43-44 MSG)

We’ve heard many times that to be successful in recovery we need to “stick with the winners,” and while it’s important to choose our companions well, God often brings attention to those relationships that we avoid because we still have pain and resentment in our hearts.  It may be that we struggle with family members or colleagues and how they have treated us in the past or how they continue to deal unfairly with us.

God is not asking us to co-dependently give access to them to harm us or pretend that what they do is not the work of an enemy.  God is inviting us to pray for them and give them the best opportunity to find forgiveness and transformation through Christ.  While we were still a mess, Christ died for us.  While others are still struggling with anger and bitterness, God wants to touch them with His love.  His response to our prayers is assured.  Best of all, our character will blossom and become strong because we are allowing God to work His work through us.
This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.  (Matthew 5:45 MSG)




Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it’s so much easier to just avoid people who have harmed me.  Within safe boundaries, I ask You to bless them and to help them to come to know Your love so they can find peace and healing.  I admit to being weak in this area.  Help me to even want to bless them.  I want to be like You.  Amen

©2020 Partners in Hope 
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/

Audio for Love Your Enemies

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