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 sons of your Father in heaven
- Matthew 5:43-45a
But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you
- Luke 6:27-28
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven
- Matthew 5:43-45a
But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you
- Luke 6:27-28
Fellow Faith Believers,
Jesus had enemies and some of them crucified Him. Yet, as we know, Jesus Christ had the Ultimate Victory, in the end. And because GOD Loved the world so much, that He sent His Son Jesus to correct us, instruct us, set an example for us and ultimately die for us; GOD's Son did not leave the earth without praying for those who were responsible for His Death.
Jesus, who told us ' to love and pray for our enemies,' demonstrated the ultimate gift of love while hanging on and nailed to The Cross: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing - Luke 23:34a.
Jesus prayed for His enemies…how can we do less?
One
of the most amazing commands of Christ is to love our enemies. For some of us, in our
flesh, we naturally want to retaliate or fight back when we are treated
unkindly or persecuted.
But Jesus preached forgiveness and mercy: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful - Luke 6:36. Jesus' lifestyle demonstrated mercy and grace, and presented an example for us to emulate - that our lifestyle might also demonstrate Jesus' example of mercy and grace. Then Jesus took His Command to us one step further, adding, perhaps another level of difficulty: Pray for those who persecute you - Matthew 5:44b.
The prophet Jude also spoke about the importance of mercy: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire: hating even the garment spotted by flesh - Jude 1:23.
Because of GOD’s Mercy, and because of Jesus Christ's willingness to be sacrificed - we were saved. We must even extend that same Mercy to those who are still enemies of GOD, so that they might also receive what we have been given.
But Jesus preached forgiveness and mercy: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful - Luke 6:36. Jesus' lifestyle demonstrated mercy and grace, and presented an example for us to emulate - that our lifestyle might also demonstrate Jesus' example of mercy and grace. Then Jesus took His Command to us one step further, adding, perhaps another level of difficulty: Pray for those who persecute you - Matthew 5:44b.
The prophet Jude also spoke about the importance of mercy: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire: hating even the garment spotted by flesh - Jude 1:23.
Because of GOD’s Mercy, and because of Jesus Christ's willingness to be sacrificed - we were saved. We must even extend that same Mercy to those who are still enemies of GOD, so that they might also receive what we have been given.
~ Prayer~
Precious Loving Father,
Give me a heart filled with mercy, so that I am able
to love and pray for those who mistreat me.
Give me Your Grace to love them as You Do,
and to see them with Your Eyes of Compassion.
I pray this prayer, In the Mighty Name of Your Son
Jesus Christ,
Yes and Amen
Amen
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