"Love Your Enemy - Pt. 2"

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy." Matthew 5:43

"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 despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) What a contrast Jesus' teachings were from many other religions. There are religions out there that teach you to hate your enemy, take revenge on them, and some even teach that you should kill your enemies. But Jesus' teachings were right the opposite.

Our Lord never said that we wouldn't have enemies. He never said that there wouldn't be those who oppose us. He never said that everyone would love us and no one would hate us. Instead He taught us that just the opposite was true. "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." (Luke 21:17) But He taught us what our response should be to them. And He not only taught us in word, but He showed us through His own actions. "They hated me without a cause." (John 15:25b) "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." (1 Peter 2:23)

If this world is going to have a true picture of who this wonderful. loving God that we serve is, they are going to have to see it through us His children. The way you treat others, even your enemies, is a testimony to who you serve and whose you are. This is why we must walk in love, and show love, even to those who don't love us in return, to those who aren't deserving of love and to those who set themselves up as our enemies.

You and I weren't, and never will be, deserving of the love that God showed us through His Son Jesus. As I said yesterday, we were enemies of His and yet He still demonstrated love toward us. So if He showed love to us (His enemies), shouldn't we show it to others- regardless of who they are.

Have a great day. Love is the distinguishing factor that not only identifies us as Christians, but also reveals who God is to the world.

For further reading:
Matthew 5:43-48
Isaiah 53
Romans 5:6-10