Today’s Devotion
Topic: Love Your Enemies
Text: Hebrews 12: 14- 15 (NKJV)
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. Amen
Loving one’s “enemy” requires a little more than self-determination and physical effort. This is simply because there is always the natural tendency to reciprocate the “ills” others emit on you, especially when you are in the position to do so.
Loving our “enemies” is NOT a choice the new testament believer has, but a COMMAND from Jesus Christ to be obeyed without excuses.
If so, then we ought to go back to Jesus for the very strength to enable us do so. The Holy Spirit Himself will empower us to look beyond the people who hurt us and maintain our gaze on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Examine yourself if you are still in the faith. Sometimes it is the “unchristian” character traits we portray that make people hate and oppose us so much. Let us watch how we talk, walk and conduct ourselves.
Once we have been able to identify what our personal contribution to the “hate story” is, and are working on ourselves, then we may be able to adopt some of these simple steps to help us relate well with all those who call us their enemies:
*A simple greeting whenever you meet them.
*Disarm them by demonstrating love — do the very kind things they least expect from you.
*Do good to them — overlook the pain they caused you and see them as people created in the likeness and image of God. Bless them always and thank God for their lives.
*Refuse to speak evil of them, refuse to habour hatred in you for them. Luke 6: 28 says bless those who curse you.
We must bear in mind that God will never permit an enemy your way if He has not prepared you to win them to Himself. They may not follow you to church outright, but with time the great love you’ve shown will go a long way to MINISTER TO THEM.
Always remember: The greater the pain they cause you, the greater the potential blessings when you freely forgive them from your heart.
Beloved if Jesus said we should love our enemies, then He knows we can. Begin to pray now. Ask for strength where you are weak.
(www.yonghana.org, Like our Facebook page: Y OUTREACH NETWORK)
