Love Your Enemies
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43-45”
We talked about the importance of loving others because God loves us. But what about those who have hurt us?
Jesus leaves no room for loving only those people we like. No, He clearly says, “love your enemies.”
This can be much harder than it sounds. When someone hurts you, the world says to cut them from your life. And our natural response is often to treat them the same way they treated us. But Jesus’ words are clear. Love them. Pray for them.
Then He tells us why. He says that loving those who have hurt us is how children of God act. Remember His command to love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:12
Try looking at the person from God’s perspective. God sees a sinner who will suffer for eternity if they don’t turn to Him. And it breaks His heart.
Once we see that, and allow that person’s eternal punishment to break our heart, we will begin to love as Jesus told us to love. We will pray for their salvation, and the love we show them will point them to Jesus.
If someone has been unkind to you, see how many ways you can show them love this week.
P.S. If someone is abusing you, tell someone you trust. This is not unloving. Instead, it will get you help, and it will get help to the one who is hurting you and needs Jesus.
Keep Seeking the Kingdom!
Heather Penner
Youth Ministries Director
