LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
In today's Bible verses, the Bible tells us that we need to love our enemies. Who exactly are our enemies? An enemy is anyone who is fighting against us. A family member can feel like our enemy when they are bringing pain and dysfunction into our lives, our family's life, or their own life and fighting against our attempts to make things right.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:44-45)
What does it mean to love our difficult family members who feel like our enemies?
The opposite of love is hate. If we hate someone, it means we have strong negative feelings toward them, and we usually want to see the person suffer. Hate then leads to a strong desire to get revenge. It would also mean that we would likely treat the person with disgust, anger, and disrespect that come from our hatred.
“bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Luke 6:28)
As God does, we can not like things that are destructive, hurtful, sinful, and unjust. It is natural not to be happy with someone who is doing these things, but it is our responsibility to channel these emotions into loving behavior.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)
When we respond to people who mistreat us by mistreating them in return, we become a part of the problem. They can then easily blame their mistreatment of us on us. If we treat them with love, kindness, and respect, it opens the door for the Holy Spirit to convict them.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21)
Acting kind does not mean we do not set boundaries in the relationship. People who can walk all over us will not respect us and will continue to mistreat us out of that disrespect. Jesus treated His enemies with love but also spoke the truth, protected himself, and confronted sin. You can set boundaries lovingly and firmly place them in a way that respects both parties.
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22)
When our enemies fall, we can not revel in our enemy's suffering. We can not be happy in their demise, but in their healing and restoration, and if it takes suffering consequences to bring them to that point, then we can not be happy in those consequences.
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.” (Luke 6:35)
God is just. God delights in truth, righteousness, and justice. He is the ultimate Judge who will require all people to give an accounting of every word and action, and God will reward them accordingly.
Our job is to treat those people who are bringing destruction into our lives with love while saying no to anger, hate, and disrespect.
Who do you need to show God’s love to in your life?
Heavenly Father, Help me love my enemies. Let Your love flow through me no matter what emotions I am feeling. Please bring righteousness and justice into my relationships and help me have the strength to walk in love in everything I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Our Job Is To Treat Those People Who Are Bringing Destruction Into Our Lives With Love While Saying No To Anger, Hate, And Disrespect.
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