Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5:43,44- “You have heard that it was said ‘you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you,”

Hey guys, welcome back to the Blog. I pray as you read the Holy Spirit speaks to you in Jesus name. Amen.

This matter is really serious among Christians today. Really, it has always like this been like this. Not just Christians alone but in the world. A lot of people hate their enemies, let me rephrase that, a lot of Christians hate their enemies, to the point of cursing their enemies, praying and asking God to punish their enemies one way or the other and also cursing the generations of people who hurt them. This is wrong, this is so wrong. This message is addressed specifically to Christians.

As Christians, we are followers of Jesus Christ. Being followers of Christ, we should live like him because he is the perfect example and best role model. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live in accordance with God's will, he will make us more like him by changing our hearts and minds, as well as the way we think and speak. The Holy Spirit is here to help us he can help us love our enemies. I am aware that loving your enemy is difficult, but with Jesus, it will become easier.

In Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus said you have heard that it was said that you shall love your neighbors and hate your enemies, then he says, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who persecute you, not praying to God to punish them but praying to God to help them.

Guys, I'm not here to pick on anyone; I'm not better than any of you. I've been through this myself, but now that I know the truth, I'd want to share it with you as well. I'm here to speak the truth and direct you toward God and his ways.

We are Christ’s representatives in this world:

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, if you only love those who love you, what difference do you have from the world?

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brother, what more are you doing than others? Do not even tax collectors do the same?” –Matthew 5: 46,47

If you only love those who love you, what resemblance do you have with Jesus who loves his enemies. Through his life and his character, Jesus demonstrated how much he loved those who hated him, those who were against him.

Jesus said in Luke 23:34- “…...Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” He was on the cross yet he begged for the ones who put him to death. Yes, the ones who put him to death, he pleaded for them, same thing Stephen did at the point of his death in Acts 7:59,60- “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

If we truly desire to live like Jesus, we must turn from our sins and surrender to the Holy Spirit. We must give him everything—all of our hurt, anger, unforgiveness, pain, frustration and hatred—and allow him to have his way in us. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot live like Christ or serve as his representatives in the world. Loving your enemies starts on the inside.

“Do not overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good”- Romans 12:21

Be compassionate to those who are your enemies, treat them well, and let them experience Christ's love through you. Do not repay evil for evil; be careful what you say and pray, some prayers can be evil. If someone has harmed you, you should never wish for their destruction and death; just because they hate you, doesn't mean you should hate them back; and stop cursing people because they have hurt you; this is not at all Christ-like and is a misrepresentation of who Jesus is. Stop! This is just wrong. We are called to love others as God has loved us. This is our duty as God's Children.

How can I love my enemies?

1. Forgive:

Matthew 6:14-15- “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your heavenly father forgive your trespasses.”

This bible verse shows the importance of forgiving others; It emphasizes how you must first forgive others before God can forgive you. If someone has hurt you, forgive them. Do not harbor grudge in your heart; doing so breeds hatred.

2. Be kind to them:

Romans 12:20- To the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Have you ever heard the saying "Kill 'em with Kindness"? It doesn't actually imply to kill someone; rather, it implies to treat someone kindly no matter what they do, including when they hurt or harm you. Don't give in to the devil's attempts to manipulate you; instead, frustrate them with love. The only response you should have for these people is kindness. Show the love of Christ to those who detest you by treating them with kindness no matter what they do to you. “Do not overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good”- Romans 12:21

3. Pray for them:

Romans 12:14- “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”

One reason we should pray for those who harm, hate, and persecute us is that we should be more concerned with the eternal than the temporary. Not prayers asking God to punish them, curses passed down through generations, or prayers with negative or malicious words. Instead, we ought to ask for the grace to care for them, to be kind to them, and to love them. We should pray for their salvation, for whatever it is that makes them bitter and hateful, for their wellbeing, and that God would touch their hearts and also draw them close to him. We should also pray for whatever it is that they are going through that makes them bitter and hateful.

We frequently have no idea what someone is going through that is causing them to act in a certain way, but as Christians and God's children, we should pray for them in a godly manner rather than with evil or demonic thoughts. Prayers that are Christ-centered. Bless them and do not curse them.

Why should I love my enemies, then? Because we are children of God, we ought to love our enemies because he does, and we ought to follow in his footsteps. Two, by not loving our adversaries, we are misrepresenting Christ and dishonoring his name. We are his representatives in this world. And finally, because it is God's will, we should love those who hate us. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit can you be transformed to love those who harm, hate, and persecute you. The only way to sincerely love your enemies is through repentance and surrender to the Holy Spirit.

Forgive, be Kind and Pray for your enemies. The only enemy we have is the devil. Our fellow human beings are not our enemy so LOVE THEM Because GOD LOVES THEM.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, I pray for those behind the screen reading this right now, I pray that they release whatever hurt, hate, and unforgiveness they have in their hearts to you Holy Spirit. I pray they surrender all to you, I pray God that you empower them and help them and teach them to love not just their neighbors but also those who hate them. Lord I pray that you help them to forgive all who hurt them. Lord help them show kindness to all who they come across no matter what is done to them. Holy Spirit, I ask that you help them pray for the wellbeing of others Lord and that those who curse and pray wrongly for others, you help them stop and pray right in Jesus Name. Lord I pray you help us be true representative of you in this world and that we show your love as it overflows in us to others in Jesus name. AMEN

Romans 12:18- “If possible. So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”