Loving Your Enemies
by Lady Jess
Yep, that’s what Jesus asked us to do. That is the last thing you want to think of during this month of love.
In Matthew’s account of Christ, chapter 5 verses 43-47, he states “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies: bless them that curse you: do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which hurt you, and persecute you, That ye may be the children of your father that is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to arise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and unjust. For if ye love them, which love you, what reward shall you have? Do not the Publicans even the same? And if ye be friendly to your brethren only, what singular thing do ye? do not even the Publicans likewise? And if ye be friendly to your brethren only, what singular thing do ye? do not even the Publicans likewise?”
How are those who are our enemies supposed to come to Christ if us, His children, don’t love them regardless of the way we are treated? I have been hurt by people before and it is difficult to pray for them, but we must allow God to humble us so that we can bless them. God’s love is extended to everyone.
Paul’s letter to the Galatians, chapter 3 verse 28, he says “There is neither Jew nor Grecian: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Also, in the letter to the Colossians, chapter 3 verse 11, it says “Where is neither Grecian nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond, free: But Christ is all, and in all things.”
We must not let prejudices or anger keep us from loving and forgiving them. Don’t you think that Jesus had many people who were His ‘enemies’? He did, He still does, but He still loves them.
In the book of the proverbs of Solomon, chapter 25 verses 21-22, it says “If he that hateth thee be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt lay coals upon his head, and the Lord shall recompense thee.”
Also, in Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 12 verses 14-21, it says “Bless them which persecute you: bless, I say, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be like affectioned one towards another: be not high-minded: but make yourselves equal to them of the lower sort: be not wise in yourselves. Recompense to no man evil for evil: procure things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as in you is, have peace with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with goodness.”
Let us show the world the love of the Father.
Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, sings in a local choir, and is in training to be a homeschooling parent herself one day.
