Love Your Enemies

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-the knowledge of Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Fill my consciousness constantly and complete Your joy in me as I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse:Jeremiah 15:19 ESV

Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.” 

Verse of the day:2 Corinthians 7:1

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Daily readings: Psalm 94-96 Romans 15:14-33 

Jesus Commands, Love Your Enemies

We have visited this numerous times before but not as one of the commands of Jesus.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’” (Matt. 5:43)

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44)

For many this is going too far. “People just can’t treat me the way they do and expect me to love them.”

But still, Jesus does-He fully expects us to love our neighbors and our enemies.

I have challenged folks for years to put their least favorite folks at the very top of their prayer lists. So, to practice what I preach, I put my least favorite person on the top of my list several years ago and pray that name first. The Lord changed my heart for this person-but The Lord is the only one who could have done that.

Changing our hearts to love those who don’t want to be loved by us is divine work. We cannot do it any other way. Doing ‘good deeds’ for them won’t make it happen. The change must be in our hearts and not just in our outward behavior.

How hard is it? It is impossible without God. But God makes it happen-little by little our hearts soften and in time the hate is gone.

Remember, God is not going to ask if He does not supply. He is love and His presence destroys hate. It becomes impossible for us to hate when we learn to walk in the Spirit.

Yes, there will be times of trial when hate raises the hair on your neck but that is the time we must hear God say, “If you return, I will restore you and you shall stand before me”(Jeremiah 15:19).

Those who don’t like us and persecute us will always be here. A heart guarded by God is full of forgiveness, kindness and goodness.

Argue if you will-but anything short of loving your enemies is sin.

Tell God you really want to understand this and live it.

...because He loves you, He will do it…

Father in Heaven,

I want to praise Your name forever above all. I want to know Your kingdom. Give me what You know I need for today.

Forgive me for relishing hate for my enemies. Lead me away from hate.

Loving and forgiving God,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen