DaySpring Daily Word of Inspiration: Matthew 5:43-45 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
There is but one judge and that is God but Jesus came to save the world and show the love of God through his sacrifice. The task that Jesus undertook was not easy by any stretch of the imagination. Jesus came to die for a world full of people He knew beforehand that wouldn’t accept Him, believe in Him or agree with His teachings. Nevertheless, He still died for us all. Thank You God!
Simply put Jesus loved everyone no matter if they loved Him or tried to kill Him. He was only concerned with doing the Father’s will and making sure His love was made complete through obedience. What happens with you when someone doesn’t like you? What do you feel when someone tries to hurt you? How do you react when someone hates you for nothing? I hate to be honestly with you today, but it doesn’t matter how you feel!
Jesus tells us (in his own words so it is an implied command) that we shouldn’t retaliate with the same hate and negativity but that we should love people anyways and pray for them. Jesus did it! Aren’t we trying to be more like Him every day anyways? Loving someone in spite of how they treat you shows God that your heart is set on heavenly things; that doing what Jesus has commanded is more important than how we feel, trying to get revenge on, or even hate as someone has hated us. Praying for them is a tricky one….when I first thought about it I thought the prayer was for the person who offends you. I believe that the prayer is for you and them. 1. For God to reveal to them that they are warring against Him and not the person they hate & 2. For God to build up a genuine love in our hearts for people with these types hearts so that you can be motivated to seeing them saved versus turning your back on them – Why? Because Jesus didn’t turn his back on YOU!
We have a challenge before us but it is not insurmountable. If people have negative dispositions about you or harsh feelings towards you, we want you to begin to pray for them but also for yourself. Pray that God makes room in your heart to love no matter what and to help direct his sheep back to him instead of pushing them away.
Remember nothing is impossible with Christ (Matt. 19:26). Even if some folks hearts don’t change about you, don’t let yourself sin by not doing what you know is right in God’s eyes (James 4:17).
We pray you have a blessed day and that this word moves you to a place of greater love in our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.