But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28 WEB
These words of Christ recorded in Luke’s gospel are not difficult to understand. They are, however, difficult for most to put into practice. In this famous sermon, Jesus teaches us to love with the same “agape” love given by our Father in heaven. It is the kind of love that unites and heals relationships. It is the sacrificial love Christ demonstrated on the cross. This active, restorative, highest form of love is the love of God working in and through mankind.
In another famous scripture, God’s demonstration of his radical love is made clear. We read in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. WEB” These words show the sacrificial, restorative nature of God’s love. In spite of our failings, God took the initiative to pay the price for our sins, offering a path to forgiveness for those who accept his Son as Lord and Savior.
He First Loved Us
When we love our enemies and as Christ says, “bless those who curse you,” we break from our fallen sinful nature and act instead like our Father who is in heaven. The bible teaches in 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us. KJV” When we emulate God by loving, blessing, and praying for those who mistreat us, we too encourage others to come to the Lord and experience God’s love by our example.
Jesus’ teaching is clear. He commands his followers to love as he loves and as our heavenly Father loves. Following Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies, “bless those who curse you,” and pray for those who mistreat us, we show that we are the children of God. Jesus gives his reasoning behind this radical “agape” love in Matthew 5:45 which says, “that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for demonstrating the greatness of your love. Thank you for loving me even when I was lost in sin. Lead me to share your love with the world. Soften my heart and give me wisdom to love others as you do. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: An Enemy of God
