Love Your Enemies

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” -Luke 6:27 Children of the Most High God, when God tells you to love your enemies He means it! You ask how can I love someone who has done the unthinkable? You don’t know what my spouse did to me. You don’t know what my parents did. You don’t know what my best friend did. Look again at this verse. Do you see what Jesus is saying, "….you who hear me?" Have you ever said to someone, “Are you hearing me?” It was so important that you made sure you asked them if they heard you just to be sure. I read this passage so many times, and today, the words, “YOU who hear me,” just jumped at me. I believe God has a message for you. Let me just say that I have been betrayed so many times by the very people who told me they loved me, and that I was a good friend to them, etc. etc. At the end, they hurt me and I realized they never loved me as a person; they just wanted something from me, and when I could not give them what they wanted, they ended the friendship! I have struggled with this for years. So many times, I have asked God, “Do you see what this person did to me? God, is it okay with you that I would be treated so badly?” NO, It is never okay that people treat you badly. Then, God brought Judas to my mind. Jesus knew exactly what I was feeling. It happened to him. So, if the Son of the Living God could be so betrayed and hurt what makes me think that I would not experience such a fate? Jesus never retaliated! He allowed Judas to kiss him! We must leave people who hurt us in His hands. We must do well even if they will not acknowledge it. Judas' fate was not a good one. I feel sorry for Judas. He was a part of the ministry. He saw Jesus do miracles too marvelous to count. He saw dead people come to life, limbs growing, lepers healed, blind man receiving sight, and the list goes on, and yet He betrayed Jesus. How in the world could that happen? Because he was selfish, filled with pride, because he did not hear what Jesus has to say!

REFLECTION: "But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you," (Matthew 5:44 GW). Today, are you hearing Him? He is commanding you to “love your enemies.” Moreover, he is not stopping just there. He continues to say, “Do good to those who hate you!” Ever wondered why? Because he wants us to follow in his example. He was betrayed, crucified, and killed and yet he said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing!” Have you prayed for your enemies? Perhaps God wants you to be kind to that everyone that has hurt you so deeply. This kind of love and forgiveness is not easy, but God forgave you of every sin you ever committed, or will in the future. It’s hard I know but greater is he who lives in us then he who is in the world. I ask you again, “Do you hear him?”

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Thank You for teaching me Your ways. You are the GOD of Love, and You are the One Who teaches me to love as You do. Instruct me always about love and how to love. You are the GOD who extends mercy and grace, and teach me to extend mercy and grace as You do to those who are my enemies, and give me strength to always stand up for what is right. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

#TopicArticle #love #enemies #adversary #friends #family #betrayal #relationship