“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 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. Matthew 5:43–45 WEB
Our human nature is corrupt. Naturally, we are not inclined to bless those that curse us. We are not given to loving our enemies. However, Jesus Christ commands us to do just that. As followers of Christ, we are told to do good to those who hate us and pray for those who mistreat and persecute us. Christ goes on to tell us why. It is because we are children of God and should act as he acts. God demonstrates his love for all people.
God Is Patient
The Lord wants all people to be saved. We read in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance. WEB” God loves us, every person, saved or unsaved. He wants us to turn to him.
Repentance means that we turn away from our sin and turn to God. Repenting means admitting that we are wrong, and God’s ways are right. We admit that we are flawed, turn to God and begin to live in obedience to his word and will.
Jesus reveals that it is the will of God that we love our enemies. And so, this is what we should do. In his wisdom, God reveals the love of Christ when we pray for those who curse us and bless those who have mistreated us. Although this seems difficult, maybe even impossible, with God all things are possible.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for these words from Jesus Christ. Help me to love my enemies. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Predestined for Adoption
