“…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”
Matthew 5:44 MSG
From the
verse above, it’s clear that there’ll always be those who might hate us,
persecute us, and despise us; but we’re only permitted to respond to them in
love. The actions or attitudes of such people should never provoke you to
compromise. Life is a script, and you’re the one in focus; you have to choose
to play your part—the love-part.
In your
journey of faith, everyone who relates with you is placed there by God for your
benefit; whether they’re helping you, or they’re against you, doesn’t make any
difference! It doesn’t stop God’s plan of promoting you. If they are kind,
loving, and helpful to you, appreciate them and praise God for them; if they’re
otherwise, love them all the same.
If someone
accuses you falsely, for example, don’t get upset and try to justify your
innocence to the point of acting in a manner that’s unbecoming for a Christian.
Leave it to the Lord; He’s the righteous Judge, and will surely vindicate you.
Just keep loving; that’s your role in the script. You’re born of God; His love
has been shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit who lives in you (Romans
5:5 KJV). That means you have the capacity to love as He does.
He said,
“This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see
the love you have for each other” (John 13:35 MSG). What a way to tell us from
the rest of the world! Our love-walk is the primary proof that we love the
Lord, and have passed from death unto life. Our ability to still put up a
loving smile when others ride roughshod over us, pour invectives on us or
persecute us, shows that indeed, we dwell in Him and are walking in the light,
as He is in the light.
