love for enemies

“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” I know you have heard this probably a billion times, but this cliche saying is beyond true. I believe that it is a saying that has become numb to us. It is something that goes in one ear and out the other. It is not until we are hurt or in trouble that this saying has any meaning to us.

The thing is, we must be willing to listen to those words and apply them before it is “too late”. Before our thoughts or actions have become the best of us and we don’t show love to our enemies. We are all human. No one is perfect. All of our lives are messy. And sometimes we lash out and hurt ones we love and others we don’t necessarily enjoy. It will happen to everyone, and trust me I am one to attest to this. But I have learned to listen to these words.

“…love those who work against you.” Luke 6: 27

I believe that one of the hardest things for anyone to do is to love the ones you hate. After all there is a reason that you don’t like them. But at the same time, you can still love them. I know what you’re thinking, that sounds very contradicting. But if you think about it God knows we are all sinners. We have all turned against him in someway or another. But he continues to love us no matter what. He compassionately loves each and everyone of us all the same. That’s pretty awesome if you ask me!! Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.” And they divided His clothes by drawing names. Luke 23:34

Over the past few years, I been teaching myself to be more like Jesus. To love, serve, and forgive just as he does. Jesus had plenty of enemies. And he was tempted and tried plenty of times. But he knew in his heart to love and serve the Kingdom of God before anything else. He did not retaliate against his enemies, but loved and prayed for them. 27“I say to you who hear Me, love those who work against you. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Respect and give thanks for those who try to bring bad to you. Pray for those who make it very hard for you.” Luke 6: 27-28

Jesus literally tells us to “do good to those who hate you”. This can be something as easy as smiling to them or serving them in someway. Then he says “Respect and give thanks for those who try to bring bad to you“. Respect, meaning be the bigger person and actually give them respect as a person. And then “thank those who try to bring bad to you.” This is probably one of the hardest things to do. But trust me, a thankful heart will lead to a happy heart. If you can dig deep down inside to genuinely thank and love the ones you hate, you will see the world in a different way. You will become a more positive person. Allowing yourself to get rid of grudges and negative thoughts.

Lastly, he says “Pray for those who make it very hard for you.” PRAY!! It is so easy to do. If we can just pray they will learn what is right and what it wrong. Pray for grace and for forgiveness. Pray for their health and safety. And most of all pray that they know the Lord and strive to serve the kingdom of God. Don’t forget that God has a perfect plan for their life too. He has set their path straight in perfect timing. Learn to accept and love everyone!!

32 “If you love those who love you, what pay can you expect from that? Sinners also love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what pay can you expect from that? Sinners also do good to those who do good to them. 34 If you let people use your things and expect to get something back, what pay can you expect from that? Even sinners let sinners use things and they expect to get something back. 35 But love those who hate you. Do good to them. Let them use your things and do not expect something back. Your reward will be much. You will be the children of the Most High. He is kind to those who are not thankful and to those who are full of sin. Luke 6: 32-35