A Bible Devotion
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Love Your Enemies
MATTHEW 5:44 NKJ
44 "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,
"Love your enemies? What kind of advice is that? How can you have enemies, if you act in love toward them?"
Good point.
Why would anyone want to have enemies? Do you?
God's instructions, if acted upon, will make friends out of enemies. Think how much better the world would be then.
God can, and does, love His enemies. He proved it. No matter what they did to Jesus, He never quit walking in love.
But it may be impossible for a normal human to love their enemies -- without God's help. Fortunately, God's help is available!
No matter how hard it seems, you can love those who have hurt you. If it was not possible, God would not command us to do it. Of course, to be successful at it, we need to call on the Lord and receive His help.
"But why should I love my enemies?" You should know it is the best thing for you to do, just because God said it. It benefits you as well as the one who wronged you.
You have two basic choices when someone does you wrong. Do wrong back to them. Or, return good for evil.
If you fight back, then they will have a valid excuse to continue mistreating you. Is that what you want? If not, then the intelligent choice is to stop the vicious cycle by returning good for evil. Love your enemies until they become your friends.
SAY THIS: I can, and will, love everyone with God's help.
BENDICIONES
PASTORA LUCY
ADMINISTRADORA
