April 21 ~ Luke 6:27-36
This is what I say to all who will listen to me:
Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. If someone wants to take your coat, don't try to keep back your shirt. Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you. Treat others just as you want to be treated.
If you love only someone who loves you, will God praise you for that? Even sinners love people who love them. If you are kind only to someone who is kind to you, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners are kind to people who are kind to them. If you lend money only to someone you think will pay you back, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners lend to sinners because they think they will get it all back.
But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel. Have pity on others, just as your Father has pity on you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Probably one of the hardest things we can ever do is to love our enemies… because this totally runs counter to human nature. But Scripture tells us that true Christians love their enemies and are good to them. The first question you have to ask is, “Who are your enemies?” Is your enemy the guy or girl who broke up with you – or the “friend” who is now spreading lies and vicious rumors about you throughout the school? Is your enemy an ex-wife or husband who seems to challenge you at every turn about everything from alimony to child custody? Is your enemy a boss, co-worker, teacher, coach or neighbor who makes life miserable for you every day with unreasonable demands and unkind or unfair treatment? Are your parents your enemies? Are your government officials your “enemies” because they do not legislate as you would prefer? Are your church leaders or certain members of the congregation your “enemies” because they pressure you to believe a certain doctrine or judge you in some way? Is the world your “enemy” because you feel like you haven’t gotten a fair shake in some way?
The second question to ask is, “How can you love these people?” How can you turn down the volume on the gossip someone spreads about you? How can you get along with your ex, your parents, your mean boss or teacher, or even someone who is abusive? How can you love the elected official with whom you vehemently disagree about everything – or the church leaders or members who continually rub you the wrong way?
I can’t answer question #1 for you, but I can help you find the answer to the second part… and it begins with attitude. See, every person you see as an enemy, God sees as valuable and special – just like He sees you. For every “enemy” you have, it’s quite possible someone views you as their enemy. None of us wants to be considered an enemy – and the way to combat that is to begin to love our own. Does this make sense? Notice I didn’t say it would be easy… but a whole lot of being a Christian is hard work! It is also well worth the effort.
Don’t misunderstand… I’m not saying you have to become a doormat or compromise your values. You just have to adjust how these people and situations affect you and your witness. Many have pointed out that it’s hard to be bitter and upset – or to feel persecuted or sorry for yourself – when you are busy doing things for others. So this is a call for us to get busy! Start looking for ways to love and serve… and see how little time you have to nurture grudges and harbor enemies! Focus on loving God and treating others as you wish to be treated – and see how quickly things change. Remember…God has mercy on you – show the same to others in His name!
©2010 Debbie Robus
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