Mar 10 – Love Your Enemies !

“Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

It is easy to love those who love us and help us, those who appreciate and encourage us. But to love those who hate us and seek to harm or destroy us—that is exceedingly difficult.

Yet when our hearts are filled with Calvary love, nothing will be impossible. When you were once enemies, did not Jesus seek you? When you were sinners, lawbreakers, and aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, did He not show great love, forgive your sins, and receive you as His own child? By that same love, you too can love your enemies.

Christ Himself is our supreme example in loving enemies. Even when His enemies crucified Him and caused Him unbearable suffering, He loved them and prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). That is true love, even for the enemies.

Lord Jesus taught clearly: “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” (Matthew 5:44).

Even in the Old Testament, the Lord commanded Israel concerning their enemies: “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it” (Exodus 23:4,5).

The Lord further says: “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil” (Luke 6:35).

What Christ preached, the apostles also proclaimed. They too taught believers to love their enemies: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:20,21).

Dear children of God, when you love your enemies, divine peace will dwell in your heart. You will have the assurance that the Lord is pleased with your conduct. Not only that, but you may even win over your enemy.

Verse for further meditation: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him” (Proverbs 24:17).