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Leg 1 Day 79
Enemies
Jesus With Us
Scripture:
Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in Heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.”
See also: Luke 6:27-28; 32-36
Life Lessons from Jesus:
Today’s readings get really personal. If we are walking with Jesus, our journey will be different. If we are seeking to love like Jesus, we conform to a different set of values. Quite often, we are considered quite odd. We read today that we are to love our enemies and do good to those who wish us ill. To the world, this is naive and gullible, but the only way to make a difference is to be different. It is easy to love those who look like us, think like us, and love us in return. Anyone can do that. However, if we are walking with Jesus, we know God’s unconditional love. By loving those who hate us, we show the very nature of our Father in Heaven. Choosing to journey with Jesus means we are committed to demonstrating God’s love.
The WAY:
Consider these questions as you reflect on today’s reading:
Who in my life do I find hardest to love?
What are steps that I can take to overcome this dislike?
How can I REALLY love like Jesus?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me with unconditional love and grace. Thank You for blessing me in ways that I cannot even imagine. I don’t have the words to properly thank You. I just ask You to work through my life so that others will know of Your love. In Your name, Amen.