Love Your Enemies
OPENING PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for speaking out about the things that are important as we seek to see you more clearly.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27-36
REFLECT:
Jesus told his followers over and over again to love. He came as a man just to show them (and us) how to do this. He consistently showed that he didn’t just love those who loved him, but that he extended kindness, grace, and love to those who hated him, spat at him, and even those who eventually killed him.
APPLY:
Jesus was the ultimate example to us in how to walk and live in genuine love. He showed us that love comes from God and that to live out true, genuine love, we must know God.
Spend time reflecting on ways that God has shown you what true love looks like and how you can better live that out in your daily life, especially with those that may not love you in return.
CLOSING PRAYER:
God, thank you for loving us and for sending your son to show us just how much you do. Help guide us in portraying this love to the world around us.