Love My Enemies, Really?
"You have heard that it was said, You shall love you neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."
- Matthew 5:43-44
When I read this verse for the first time years ago I thought," Wow, how can we really love someone who does wrong to us?". How could you look someone in the face and tell them you love them, or forgive them when they caused you pain whether it be emotionally, physically, or even mentally. It must have taken Jesus a lot of strength to tell God, "Father, forgive these people! They don't know what they're doing." while he was pouring out His blood for us on the cross. Walking through this life I really want to think W.W.J.D. - What Would Jesus Do? If he were in my shoes right now in this situation how would He respond or act. I pray to have a heart like Him, to give people a chance in life, to maybe not agree with how they live their life but, to always show love and compassion like Jesus did. This verse from Matthew says a lot about Jesus as a person.
Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people! They don't know what they're doing."
- Luke 23:34
If Jesus came up to you right now and said this to you about that special enemy in your life how would you respond to Him. I will say there are so many awful things out there in this world that I hope I never have to experience. I pray I never know of someone close to me being physically hurt or killed by someone, but that forgiveness is only from God himself. We all have people in our lives who have brought pain to our lives, some are different, some the same. We all go through the same emotions in life: happiness, sadness, madness, and emotional pain. We all feel the same, just like we all bleed the same!
In a circumstance in my life, I had someone near and dear to me hurt not only me but, also hurt others I am close to. It's hard to be in emotional pain and also see the hurt and pain on the people you love as well. We all make mistakes, some I won't lie make more than others but, God doesn't love them any less. Just like God doesn't love us any less when we mess up a time or two. I am sure He wants you to enjoy your life and be happy and in doing so be careful what your decisions may be. What happened in my life I didn't want to hate this person, I didn't want them to be my enemy, but they caused a lot of pain. Sometimes things happen in life we don't understand, but we can't let that bring us down from what God does have in stored for us. The hurtful and painful things we experience let them make you stronger. Don't ever let someone else's mistakes or decisions rule your life how it has to be. We must choose to love our neighbor and our enemy, not just the ones who are good to us.
Growing up I remember hearing my mother say "always kill a person with kindness." You never know where that kindness may lead. I believe if we really live a life as close to Jesus as possible it would be an unimaginable experience in life we couldn't explain expect from God himself. God wants good for our lives but, sometimes bad things happen. In those bad times we must continue to be forgiving and love each other as God forgives and loves us. It talks more about loving your enemies in Luke 6:27-36. It reads below:
"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."
- Luke 6:27-36
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