February 20: Love Your Enemies

Affirmation: I am compassionate. I care about myself and others.

“When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.” (Matthew 9:27-31)
Who we come to believe depends importantly on two things:
1. Knowing the person who made the promises or spoke the words;
2. Our actions in response to those promises and words upon hearing them.

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Ponder: Continue to memorize Deut. 7:9. Copy it down to carry it with you. Jot it on a post it note to place on your mirror or fridge. Read it aloud 5 times. What stands out to you in this verse? (For me, I am focusing on God’s perseverance. He never gives up: “keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations…”)
Deuteronomy 7:9

 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. 

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Praying the Message of Jesus: A Year of Thoughts and Prayers

by Eugene Peterson

                     Feb 20

Love Your Enemies

"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. That is what God does. He gives his best-the sun to warm and the rain to nourish-to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that."

MATTHEW 5:38-47

Jesus commands a daring and courageous initiative that closes the gap between offender and offended. Love is not a reward to be parceled out as a favor to friends; it is a tactic by which we share the best in us so that others have an opportunity to live at their best.

 

Name an enemy you will love.

 

Christ of compassion, far too long I have let my emotions and my prejudices tell me who and how to love. No longer. I will go to school in your salvation and learn your way of love. Amen.