"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" words of Jesus in Matthew 5:43-45
What's the main point that Jesus is telling us in this scripture?
That God loves EVERYONE---even those that reject Him! He calls us to do the same. We are to see people as He sees people and love them as He loves them: unconditionally. This is the REAL test of love.
Loving someone that curses us? Doing good to those that hate us? And praying for those who use us and call out against us?
Yes. All of that. IF we are obeying God's command.
And often, it isn't just the guy who cuts us off on the freeway or the person at work who is rude and unthoughtful...it could be someone in our very own household, family, church or circle of friends!
The enemy that Jesus referred to isn't limited to someone who could threaten our life or a stranger in the world...it could be anyone in our lives that causes us enough frustration and anger that we are tempted to retaliate.
God call us to choose love in all circumstances of life. And this is very, very difficult left to our own strength. It's for this very reason that we MUST die to self each and every day and ask God to soften our hearts and transform our minds. It has to be a daily prayer.
Real love is...unconditional and above our human nature. Real love requires a daily relationship with our Lord and Savior!
"Lord, please give me a new heart today...fill me with your love for all people in my life. Teach me how to love unconditionally. Show me how to love, how to really love. Amen."
NEXT TIME (friday am): Love in Action
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