KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:44 KJV t9 “. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

This time the Lord Jesus taught that we must love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us. The underlying taught in all these teaching is that we should be non violent and kind to all men. It takes one dominated by the Spirit of Christ to exhibit this virtue. Some Christians find such teachings very repulsive. There are a number of Christians who feel very bitter about all kinds of mistreatments metered to them either by their close associates or people they encounter. The Lord Jesus proved this trait when He was crucified on the cross. He prayed and asked for forgiveness for them. Stephen, also did the same. When he was been stoned, He prayed for forgiveness for those who were killing him. Act 7:60 KJV “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep”.

How can one love His enemies? Every child of God must come to terms with the power of the supernatural life at work in him. Every Christian have passed from death to life. He has ceased to be a natural man. As a man acknowledges that he is a supernatural man, he has the realization and ability to do supernatural things. Secondly when a man grows in the knowledge of God through consistent fellowship, he naturally develops the God kind of heart towards all men. Thirdly the more spiritual one grows the more he will not value carnal things like anger and vindictiveness to dominate him, but to show love and mercy. This life of love, mercy and forgiveness, is the normal life of the child of God. The one who forgives has set himself free from slavery to the one who hurt him. (You are always a slave to the actions of those you hate)

Dear brother, to be bitter towards those who hurt you is to weaken your ability to face and overcome difficult people. Note also that you would always face people who would offend you and act in very selfish ways. Please do heed to the Lord’s counsel. Learn to love all persons. Praying for people is one of the practical ways to overlook their shortcomings and accept them. Dear husband, start praying for your wife, whose actions and outbursts has been putting you on urge. Tell the Lord you love her and the spirit of the Lord should help her out of that negative behaviours. Wife you must likewise pray for your abusive husband. After praying this way, most of the negative emotions towards each other will easily go away.

You would be able to accept your partner in spite of his or her shortcomings. The same also goes for others who may be offending you. Please pray for them, and show kindness to them

CONFESSION

Thank you, Lord, for the heart of love for all persons. I do not curse those who hurt me, but rather I pray for them and bless them. I am able to love them more because of the power of your Spirit in me. Thank you, Lord,

FURTHER STUDIES

1 John 3:14 KJV “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death”

1 John 4:7 KJV” Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”