SUNDAY March 8, 2020

Love Your Enemies

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 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 5:43-45

In the Scriptures, we read how the Law of God was instituted and intended to operate. In authority, as Jesus continued to teach the Sermon on the Mount, He explained the true intent of the Law, “You have heard it said,” to “But I say to you….” Even though people were used to hating their enemies, Jesus said, “Love your enemies.”

How can we love and pray for someone who has stabbed us in the back, talked about us, or has hurt our spouse or children? It is hard, but it is the attitude that we are to have. In our old nature, we want to retaliate, but we must forgive and pray for those who have hurt us. This is impossible without Christ and His enabling power––the Holy Spirit. Our heart’s desire must be to see them saved, not go in the direction of hell.

Time can heal things, yes, but I still remember and grieve over my friends who were killed in Vietnam. Since then, I have returned to Vietnam and made friends with those I called the enemy. Even though these people killed my friends, I remember Jesus’ words, “Love your enemies.” This is where I truly practiced Christianity. We can read the Bible all we want, but it is our actions that count.

How do you know when you have truly forgiven someone? I believe there are no longer any ill feelings or the physical anger that arises. You have left everything in the hands of the Lord. When you obey what Jesus has taught you, it will bring peace. Then you know God is working in your life.

Earnest intercession will be sure to bring love with it. I do not believe you can hate a man for whom you habitually pray….
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!