This morning I was led to the passage in Matthew 5 titled “Love Your Enemies”. I know this is a difficult one to undertake, especially when our enemies do not give us a reason to love them. I have studied this passage a number of times and the most impactful time was back in 2018 when I was reminded to show God’s love even when I may not feel the need to do so.
“44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” – Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
You see that I may not like those that are against me, and frankly I do not necessarily have to. I am to love them and by love that means to show them love regardless of what they do or how they treat others. My showing of love is in the form of, at minimum, prayer for them. I have written on the subject “Remember to Pray for Others Intentionally”, and this morning I am taking that to the next level by remembering to pray for others intentionally, even those that are against me.
I have mentioned my mission a number of times in my writing and again here: “Improve lives through growth and learning as an example of Christ’s love”. Praying for others, even those that are against me is doing just that. As I pray for others I am looking to improve their lives. Jesus himself said the passage above and therefor praying for others is the example of Christ’s love being shown to all.
This is a simple concept to be taken. I encourage to read and study the full passage of Matthew 5:43-48 to understand the whole of loving your enemies, but I will say this, it is easy to love those that are kind and gentle and that reciprocate. Where it is difficult is finding it in yourself to love those that are against you. Jesus is not referring to the emotion of love for all, but the action of love. I have to remember to demonstrate love to any and all I interact.
What love are you showing to those around you? Are you focused only on those that reciprocate? What if you were to pray for those against you as a demonstration of love for all?
Trevor's Thoughts 