“But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other check.” “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Luke 6:27-28, 36
Having enemies is probably just as inevitable as the sun coming up. There unfortunately will always be people who oppose the Lord and oppose those who serve the Lord. But that does not mean we should oppose those who oppose us, and we should NOT allow Satan the opportunity to wound us.
As “true” believers of Christ we need to put on the same characteristics of Christ and pursue Satan and our enemies with love and the word of God. So put on your armor, grab your shield and sword and make sure you have good shoes because we are headed into a battle that is “action” packed.
Here is a list from the Commander Himself that is required.
Leviticus 19:18
1. Do not seek revenge
2. Do not bear a grudge
3. Love your neighbor as yourself
Proverbs 25:9-10
1. Discuss the matter with your enemy privately
2. Don’t tell anyone else, or others will accuse you of gossip.
Proverbs 25:21
1. Give them food
2. Give them water
Matthew 5:25
1. Come to terms quickly with them
2. Be reconciled to them
Matthew 5:43, 44, 48
1. Love your enemies
2. Pray for those who persecute you
3. Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 6: 14
1. Forgive them
Luke 6:27-36
1. Love your enemies
2. Do good to those who hate you.
3. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you.
4. Pray for those who hurt you.
5. Love your enemies
6. Do good to them
7. Lend to them
8. Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate
**Do you think the Lord is trying to get His point across-look at how many times he repeated Himself? It’s important my friends!
Romans 12:9-10
1. Don’t pretend to love, really love
2. Hate what is wrong
3. Stand on the side of good
4. Love with genuine affection
5. Take delight in honoring each other
Romans 12:14-18, 20
1. Don’t curse them
2. Pray that God will bless them
3. Be happy with them
4. Share their sorrow
5. Live in harmony
6. Don’t act important
7. Don’t act like you know it all
8. Never pay back evil for evil
9. Live in peace with everyone-as much as possible
10. Feed them
11. Give them a drink
12. Do good
Don’t let the list overwhelm you, put your eyes on Christ, let the Holy Spirit do the leading, remember it is about the glory of God, obeying His commands and showing our enemies the same love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace we receive every day.
Prayer: Lord we ask that You clothe us with compassion, peace that is loving, gentleness at all times, the willingness to yield to others, mercy, and forgiveness. Lord clothe us with strength and the endurance and as we go into battle and defeat the ultimate enemy. Amen
