Daily Power #36

“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.” (Matt. 5:43–44)

There’s this one guy in town who hates my guts. (Actually, I’m sure there’s more than one, but I’m thinking about one in particular right now.) He takes every opportunity to trash my name, mock our church, and critique everything I say or do. To say he’s hateful would be the understatement of the century. And when he hurls hate bombs my way, everything in me wants to fire back. There is just one problem.

Jesus told us not only to forgive those who have hurt us but also to love our enemies. He told his followers that when others wronged them, they were to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and forgive them. This was not what his listeners expected to hear. They had been taught an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and blood for blood. If someone wronged them, they were entitled to wrong that person back.

But Christ basically said, “Not so fast. It’s easy to love people who are nice to you. And it’s easy to hate people who act hatefully toward you. But if you really want to follow me, if you really want to love people, then you need to love your enemies.”

Power Lift

Jesus, the only way I can love my enemies is with your help. Today give me the strength, love, and mercy I need to forgive those who are against me.