“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 NIV
Jesus calls for us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Jesus taught that we, who were enemies of God, are now called friends of God, through Jesus Christ. Moreover, those who persecute us today may, in God’s grace, become those who protect us tomorrow. We are in no permanent position of hatred and enmity with others. Because of the love of God in Christ and the transforming power of the gospel, many who curse God today will be preaching His Word tomorrow. We must realize that we, too, were once enemies of God. The Lord Jesus says that when we love our enemies, we prove that we are His children. The most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16, we need to read beyond verse 16 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:17-18) God saves because we need saving! If we look upon those who oppose, hurt, or persecute us as irredeemable, unchangeable, undeserving of our love and our forgiveness, then we must quickly run to the cross! The greatest truth of John 3:16 is that God pursues those who rebelled against Him that He might bless them. Let us pray that God will help us to love our enemies and forgive them as we remember how God loved and forgave us.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord Jesus, in loving our enemies, we remember how You love us.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, through the power and ministry of Your Holy Spirit thank You for helping us to love our enemies and forgive them as we remember how You loved and forgave us. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
John 11:47-53
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