Matthew 5:44
New Century Version (NCV)
44 But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.[a]
Ack! I knew this post was coming at some point in my blog life. I have to be honest and say that I've put it off a little as this has to be one of the hardest things for me to do! I've always wondered about this scripture. Seriously? Love an enemy? Pray for someone who has been a jerk?
Well, of course, everyone knows that we were told do this by the One who ended up giving His own life for His enemies...which included you and I. You can't argue with that. You just have to figure it out!
As I said, I've always wondered about how one would apply this scripture. 'Cause, I can tell you right now, I do not have warm, fuzzy feelings for any "enemy" or anyone who has done me wrong. And my prayer just might be, God, give 'em what they deserve. So...I think I've actually just tried to avoid this scripture altogether because I just didn't see how I could do that.
How can I love that person...or that one...? Really, God? You created me. You know I can't love those people. You know I want justice! And I know that is wrong! Help! Through this internal struggle it did finally come to me. Love in this scripture just simply means - to not hold someone accountable for what they did. This doesn't mean they aren't accountable, it's just not me that has to keep track of it. When I let go of it, God can have the control of it. They are accountable to Him. Which makes it much easier to pray for them. (At that point, they're gonna need it!)
So, at least I figured it out. Now on to trying it out.
Ack! I knew this post was coming at some point in my blog life. I have to be honest and say that I've put it off a little as this has to be one of the hardest things for me to do! I've always wondered about this scripture. Seriously? Love an enemy? Pray for someone who has been a jerk?
Well, of course, everyone knows that we were told do this by the One who ended up giving His own life for His enemies...which included you and I. You can't argue with that. You just have to figure it out!
As I said, I've always wondered about how one would apply this scripture. 'Cause, I can tell you right now, I do not have warm, fuzzy feelings for any "enemy" or anyone who has done me wrong. And my prayer just might be, God, give 'em what they deserve. So...I think I've actually just tried to avoid this scripture altogether because I just didn't see how I could do that.
How can I love that person...or that one...? Really, God? You created me. You know I can't love those people. You know I want justice! And I know that is wrong! Help! Through this internal struggle it did finally come to me. Love in this scripture just simply means - to not hold someone accountable for what they did. This doesn't mean they aren't accountable, it's just not me that has to keep track of it. When I let go of it, God can have the control of it. They are accountable to Him. Which makes it much easier to pray for them. (At that point, they're gonna need it!)
So, at least I figured it out. Now on to trying it out.
nicely written. I agree, it is so hard to remember that the love we are to have towards others is not emotional-- it's action. DO unto others the way we'd have them do, not FEEL unto others. When we subject the feelings to the doing, we find we are practicing love. good stuff. wish I could always remember it! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a hard one! But for someone who has done us wrong, we are told by the Lord Jesus to do just that! Further, and perhaps harder yet, we are to forgive those who have done us wrong. For the Lord also said in Matthew 6:15, "if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." We might say, But they haven't repented yet so I don't need to forgive them until they do. We had not yet repented when the Lord Jesus from the cross cried out, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." I don't mean to preach but the Bible says in Romans 5:8 that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Amazing love! I don't want to take the amazing Love of God for granted. I will love my enemies and will forgive their trespasses against me because I want to make heaven my eternal home. While we are speaking about forgiveness, please forgive my lengthy post.
ReplyDeletelol...of course, it is so easy to forgive those you love. however, those you don't have that feeling for, it's extremely hard! it's human nature to want justice to be done. naturally, the whole story changes when it is ourself that needs to be forgiven! (i've never implied i was perfect on this blog...now it's just more obvious, i guess!) :) but He's still workin' on me.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord is still working on all of us I hope. I will say though, that when you start actually praying for your enemy, God will begin to give you a love for them; it can even change them into being nice. I'm talking from experience. (at work) But it's always easier to love those who love you, but no reward in that according to the Bible. I have to pray for God to help me to love a lot; sometimes I don't feel very loving.
ReplyDelete