How can We Love our Enemies?
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:27-28
We can love our enemies and hate the lies Satan has put in their hearts. Love from God is agape love, which means it is an unconditional love that seeks to help others. It wants the best for others and for them to know Christ and change from their evil ways. Typically, there is no brotherly love for our enemies, especially those who wish to harm us.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10) It is easy to show agape love to people who are nice to us, but a secure humble Christian can show agape love to everyone, just as Jesus asked God to forgive the Roman soldiers who crucified him. Jesus endured the cross with a heart of love, and we endure everything with a heart of love. There is no room in our hearts for hatred, but there is room in our hearts to hate sin which comes from Satan.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10) If we are truly humble then we are secure in Christ living in his power, enabling us to be completely humble and gentle; patient, and bearing with one another in love.(Ephesians 4:2) We achieve this verse with a heart filled with God’s love that desires to show Christ to others.
When we trust the Lord by enduring difficult people with a heart of love, the Lord is pleased that we trust him and his ways, and blesses us with his love, his strength, and his wisdom. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12) The Lord loves everyone so how can we not show love to everyone and tell them how they can be forgiven and receive eternal life. This is our divine calling from God.
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:7) Likewise we are here to minister to the sick, to those sinners who don’t know Christ.
Today seek to minister to the lost with a kind word and pray for those that refuse to listen. Make it a goal to minister to those angry lost souls with God’s love and humility. Improve the skill of ministering to difficult people, it can frustrating but always show respect and Godly wisdom.
Prayer: Lord, help me to show your love to everyone and hate the lies that Satan has put in their hearts. Help me to overcome sin in my life. Let the Spirit guide me with your love, wisdom, and a caring heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.