Choose Loveنموونە

 No Way! Not After What They’ve Done! 

In war, the enemy is the nation or group that is trying to cause us harm. In sports, we consider the opposing team to be our enemy because that team wants badly to defeat us.

In New Testament times, the Jewish people in Israel and the residents of nearby Samaria did not get along. The Jews looked down on what the Samaritans practiced. As a result, the two groups treated each other terribly and went out of their way to avoid each other at all costs.

Aren’t we much the same way today? When other students gossip, or ignore you or make fun of you, do you want to help them with their homework, be friendly, or show forgiveness? Probably not! More likely, you would feel that “There’s no way! Not after what they’ve done!”

Romans 12:14 admonishes us to “bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

Think of someone who has wronged you and who you’d consider to be an enemy. Can you remember how this person hurt you? Can you remember, too, how you then turned on this person?

Jesus told the story of the “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10:25-37. “But I say to you who hear, LOVE your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other [cheek] also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Jesus used this story to teach his followers how to respond to people who are against them. 

Jesus prayed for people who persecuted Him. He even loved them enough to forgive them and die for them on the cross. In Romans 5:8 we learn that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He forgives us even though we sin and often live against Him. In 1 Peter 4:8, God tells us to “love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sin.”

True Christ followers have the love that only the Holy Spirit can give. If you don’t see God’s love in your actions, ask the Lord for help. Through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, you can be like Jesus and love and forgive anyone—no matter what they’ve done.

Think about it:

Is there someone in your life whom you consider to be an enemy? Do you need to forgive that person? How can you take action and show love to that person?