LOVE THOSE WHO HATE YOU 

The instruction to love our enemies came directly from Jesus.

In John 13:34, God commands us to love one another as He has loved us. We must learn to love even when our offender refuses to apologise.

 

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

                                                                                Matthew 5:43-44

 

Our highest calling as Christian is to love and this stretches far beyond our inner circle of family and friends. The call is to love “all” not “some”. God loved us first and commanded us to do the same.

It is hard to love especially those who have hurt us. But remember that Jesus prayed on the cross for those who crucified Him and asked God to forgive them. We have to pray for them for salvation. We cannot love without God’s help and the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit working in us. It is also expected of us to respond in a Christ-like manner when we are hurt or insulted rather than allowing our emotions to control us, and to see the person as someone who needs our prayers.

Loving our enemies shows we love God. Do you love God? Then, love and pray for your enemies.