Enemies

June 5th – Matthew 5:44

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Matthew 5:44

Of all the commands Jesus gives, the most radical must be to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Not easily done with our fleshly nature. But with Jesus we can put aside our old selves and respond instead with the Fruit of the Spirit. By showing love to our enemies, we demonstrate the selfless nature of Christ. Joy can fill our hearts when we choose reconciliation over retaliation, knowing we are following Jesus’ example. We create peace in our lives by replacing conflict with compassion. Practicing patience with those who oppose us allows room for transformation and understanding. Kindness and goodness shine through our actions, when we respond to hostility with generosity and care. Faithfulness in obeying Jesus’ commands, even when difficult, reflects our commitment to His teachings. Gentleness, helps soften hearts and break down barriers. And finally, self-control keeps us from reacting out of anger, instead responding with grace and love. Just as our Savior responds to us.

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February 23rd – Luke 6:35

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Luke 6:35

The world is full of difficult people. And the last thing we want to do is love them, do good things for them, and pray blessings into their lives. Yet that’s what Jesus calls us to do. To love our enemies as He loves us. So how do we get past our hard feelings? First, by bearing one another’s burdens. (Gal. 6:2) Second, by remembering we all fall short of God’s glory. (Matt. 6:23) Third, by never giving up on doing the right thing. (Gal. 6:9) All Jesus did wasn’t for His benefit, but for ours. For once we too were poor, in need, and enemies of God. Having a debt we could never pay, Christ came to ransom His life for ours. And out of thankfulness for His unmerited grace, He wants us to pay it forward. To extend the same to others. Continuing to sow seeds of love and goodness, remembering God promises what we give will be given back to us. (Luke 6:38)

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February 6th – Romans 12:20

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Romans 12:20

Some people are just hard to love. Those who no matter what we do, will criticize, judge, and find fault. Yet no matter how they treat us, God is very clear. We are never to repay evil for evil. (1 Thess. 5:15) Dealing with others not as mean as they are, but rather as good as God is. For when we do, Paul tells us it’s as if we are “heaping burning coals on their head.” But far from the picture of destruction these coals paint, they aren’t meant to consume our enemies with fire. Instead our coals of love are meant to melt even the coldest and hardened of hearts. Once we were enemies of God. Yet instead of giving us what we deserved, He gave us what we didn’t. Providing His Son as a path of reconciliation so He could call us His beloved. And when we too choose compassion over revenge, sharing the grace of God with others, we show the Lord how thankful we are for the unmerited love He so generously gives to us.

 

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January 7th – Psalm 41:12

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Psalm 41:12

There is a quote that warns, “not everyone you fight is your enemy. And not everyone who helps you is your friend.” Throughout our lives we will experience hurt, betrayal, and disappointment at the hands of others. And in those moments we have a choice to make. Will that pain make us better or bitter? Better is using the hurt to grow closer to the Lord, and softening our hearts to the pain and needs of others. But bitter takes glee in retribution and seeing others misfortune. And it turns a blind eye to the suffering of another because its focus is only on self pity. We all fall short and sin daily against God. Yet from His wonderful love, He extends to us His unmerited grace and mercy. And He calls us to show that same grace and mercy. To repay evil with kindness, curses with blessings, and mistreatment with prayer. (Luke 6:27-28) And most importantly of all, if we see a need to meet that need. The way God meets all of ours.

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March 18th – Matthew 5:44

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Matthew 5:44

One of the most amazing and radical teachings of Jesus was His command to love our enemies. I think about that now with the war waging in Ukraine. Praying for those who hurt or disappoint us is one thing. But what about those who are actively trying to take our homes, land, families, and even our lives? Jesus tells us that no matter how or who persecuted us, we are to pray. And not just say the right words, but to actively and purposely pray for our enemies with love. This goes against everything we feel and believe in our own human frailty. But if we truly want to be the salt and light of the earth, we need to rise above and walk as Jesus. Impossible in our own strength, but through the work of the Holy Spirit, instead of fleshly hearts of stone, we can have hearts of Christ. Hearts not bent on seeking revenge, but bent on sharing the love of Jesus!

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February 7th – Matthew 5:44

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Matthew 5:44

Loving those who love us is easy. But Jesus calls us to go beyond that and love those who are against us. The Lord came and suffered horrible persecution at the hands of those He came to save. Yet even with His dying breath He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Christ came to love the unlovable, including us. And out of thankfulness for His unmerited love, we too need to extend that same love to others. And who knows. Someday the one you call your enemy, may just turn out to be come your greatest friend in Christ!

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Give Freely – (Matthew 10)

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Matthew 10

Friends and family who are believers will embrace how you share your life.  Those who don’t accept the gospel have a lot of excuses and arguments to stay away.  And as much as I love Jesus more than anyone else, what He tells us to be prepared to experience in 34-39, has always created a bit of sadness in me.  Sad because some of these people you love the most simply do not experience the joy we have. Read more here.

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