Worthy Wednesday: Love Your Enemies

Really?

I have to be nice to people who hate me?

Great.

If I'm being honest, sometimes it's hard enough putting a smile on my face for those who actually tolerate me, but this, this is hard stuff. And no, I can't cover my ears and pretend I didn't hear it. Jesus taught this. Jesus lived this. Remember Judas?

Betrayal=Enemy

Jesus knew Judas Iscariot would be the one, the very one who would betray Him. 

And yet...

Judas was still a member of Jesus' earthly inner circle--One of the twelve.

He taught him, shared meals with him, spent time with him, provided for him, 

and

LOVED him.

ENEMY=LOVE

Not only am I required to be nice to my foes, but I am to LOVE them.

love: a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person
:unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/love

This is NOT natural human behavior, but takes effort, practice, and 

most importantly, Jesus.

Without Him it would so NOT be possible.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) 

This verse doesn't read: For God so loved the world, excluding Judas and anyone else who betrays or hates Jesus, that he gave....

NO, He: 

LOVED the whole.entire.world.

SALVATION is offered to everyone.

When someone bullies me, betrays me, oh, you better believe that I DO have me some strong feelings, however I'm striving for those to be strong feelings of affection. 

And that's HARD!!!

Do you have someone who makes your life...difficult?

LOVE and PRAY

(or maybe pray first :) )

Pray for their Salvation. 

That God will bless them. Use them. Show them mercy, as He does you and me.

LOVE=FORGIVENESS

Is it hard?  Is it doable?  Is it worth it?

YUP.

with love and prayers,

Megan Besing

www.meganbeisng.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 niv