Love Your Neighbor and Your Enemies

Matthew 5:43-44

New King James Version (NKJV)

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

     In this time of unrest in the world with terrorism, persecution, war and in the United States, the presidential election, we tend to hate our "enemies" instead of loving them and praying for them.  Jesus says to bless those who hate you and curse you, and pray for those who are spiteful to you and those who persecute you.  I take that stand now.  I'd like to walk the path of Jesus as He walked and He still does.  Ephesians 6:10-13 says, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  We are not to fight among ourselves.  It's the devil we are up against.  Jesus gave His life for all of us, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Republicans and Democrats.  He also gave His life for murderers, rapists, thieves, homosexuals and those who have abortions.  He gave his life for Adolf Hitler, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy and Jim Jones as well as Sadam Hussein and Osama Bin-Laden.

     "Wait!", you say, "These are enemies of God!"  But Jesus said love them, bless them and pray for them.  Whatever your beliefs are, these that I mentioned may have you reeling in anger.  And to say to love those who have terrorized and killed many may have you reeling as well, but we must love them.  Do you agree with them?  Do you condone their behavior?  It doesn't matter.  God created us, whether or not we follow Him or not and He wants us all to believe in His Son, Jesus.  How can those people, who are our enemies believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?  By believers everywhere loving their enemies to the point of praying for them and blessing them.  Yes, they need to pay for their actions, but also they need a Savior to change their hearts and minds, and that's why Jesus came.  1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”  I know it's a hard thing to do and they need to take their responsible part and resist evil, but Jesus loves all of us, including those who we don't agree with or those who are clearly evil.

     Agreeing or disagreeing with others actions doesn't matter, Matthew 7:12 says to treat others like you want to be treated.  Jesus went among the murderers and thieves and adulterers.  He wanted them to have eternal life in spite of what they did to others and to Him.  In politics in the United States today, we have those who love Romney and those who love Obama.  We also have those who hate Romney and hate Obama.  We should all show respect and love for both no matter our political view.  Jesus didn't come to save us politically, He saved us from our sins.  He also instructed us to go out and spread the gospel to the world?  Are we doing that?  In a loving manner?  If not, think again and repent and pray.  This may not be popular to some, but as this blog's title says, it's Truth In Life.  Wherever you stand, Jesus came to die for you.  Don't hate.  Love.