But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ Matthew 5:44
Lord Jesus,
You knew we’d struggle
to love the friend who shared our shameful secret;
You knew we’d struggle
to pray for the boss who unjustly let us go.
And yet, you commanded us to do
what our hearts can’t do
in their natural state—
love our enemies.
Why?
Because only in loving our enemy
can we truly understand how you have loved us
—your enemy.
For, indeed, while we were still sinners,
rebels in your sight,
you endured a beating
that should have killed you.
While we were still sinners,
hating you and hating God,
you felt the nails
hammering you to the cross (Romans 5:6-8).
Something happened there
to change everything,
to turn love upside down.
Now, empowered by your sacrificial love,
enabled by your grace,
we are sent out to do the impossible,
to love our enemies
and pray for those who persecute us.
In your enemy-loving name. Amen.
Read Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 5:6-11.
Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage is the author of Preparing for Glory: Biblical Answers to 40 Questions on Living and Dying in Hope of Heaven.
(affiliate link)
