"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven"
Who do you think of when you read the word "enemies"?
Can you imagine the freedom that would come in loving them? Not just forgiving them, not just ceasing to be angry, but actually loving them. Imagine the garbage that would be flushed from your heart if you really prayed for them...Prayer purifies...you can't lie to God... You will feel the sludge of animosity breaking free in your heart if you honestly pray.
This is not a proverb, or a illustration...it is a command straight from the mouth of Christ. Do we take it seriously?
"Love your enemy"...it's not about church attendance, how much you give, the length of your quiet times...."LOVE YOUR ENEMY". That is what we have to do if we want to look like our Dad ... after all that is what He did for us.
So who came to mind as an enemy?....What are you going to do about it?
Decide to obey.
Choose to love them. Get on your knees today and pray for them. Do something nice for them ... call them ... but whatever you have against them - forget it. Do what God did for you and wipe their slate clean and see them through His eyes, as valuable and lovable.
Aren't you tired of carrying the load of anger and bitterness ... Empathize with them. Find a way to care about their story.
Loving them will set you free...set them free...and it will create in you a family resemblance that allows the world to recognize you as a Christian.
.. And that will draw more to Christ than the finest sermon.
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
Abraham Lincoln
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