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"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," - Matthew 5:44
One of the most difficult verses in the Bible is Matthew 5:44. Loving and praying for people who abuse us and reject our most cherished beliefs is a monumental challenge.
In spite of the misery, discomfort, and frustration we are still expected to find it in our hearts to love them.
Loving and praying for people who abuse us and reject our most cherished beliefs is a monumental challenge. Showing grace to people who know they don’t deserve it will show them the face of Christ.
Never take pleasure in the misfortune of others (i.e. avoid envy and jealousy), even if they have treated you badly. Refuse to participate in gossip about people, even those who have behaved like an enemy toward you. Step in and help those who behaved poorly towards you if they are struggling.
Romans 12:20-21 says “if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head [make him ashamed of his actions]. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
As Christians we believe that God is watching everything that everyone does. When someone does something really hateful and hurtful toward us, it does not go unnoticed. God has seen it. What happens next in our lives is really important, as we are being tested to see whether we will trust in God to sort things out, or take the law into our own hands. For the Christian who wants to grow strong we must have the faith to believe that God will give us justice in his own time. When we harbor hate and desire for revenge, we can be sure that these emotions will destroy our peace, joy, our love and happiness. When we hand situations like this over to God, it will be a great burden lifted, and if we really begin to show love to those who have hurt us in the end you will be surprised what can happen.
But Jesus was our greatest example, and Hebrews 12:3 tells us to think about Christ, who endured hurt, hate and opposition from evil men “so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted“.
PRAYER:
Dear God,
Thank you for this Great day. I pray you help me to love my enemies and to pray for those who persecute me. I give all my burdens and hurt to you. I cannot do this life without you. I need you at all times. Bless me to do your will. In Jesus name, Amen.
REFLECT: What steps can you take today to love your enemies?
If you missed reading the Daily Devotion for Matthew 5 Go Here. God Bless.
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Daily Devotion Written by: Team I Love Psalms
One Year Reading through The New Testament Plan - This is the Bible App Plan, which we started this year, January 1st, 2023 and ends on December 31st, 2023. This plan helps us to read through the entire New testament. Here is the link: BIBLE APP if you want to join us, but it has a limit to only 150 participants. In case, you missed joining and being part of our circle, we post Daily Devotion Written by: Team I Love Psalms sharing from each New Testament chapters all year through (365 Days). You can read them here and start your Devotion with us, so you won't miss out with us at all. Once you read through the chapters for each day, you are more than welcome to share your thoughts and comments below to encourage each other daily. Thank you. God bless.
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