A few months ago we presented a pretty strong lesson on love entitled, “The Love by which We Become Beloved.” One of the greatest lessons we must learn is that the greatest weapon by which we shall overcome is that of maintaining an unconditional love toward our enemies. Matthew 5:44 teaches us this. It would certainly be a good thing to have this verse written in your heart. See it here as it appears in the King James Version. Most of the modern versions have only half of what we read in the King James. Take careful note of four points of powerful principles of Kingdom living. They come through as weapons by which we overcome our enemies and will prove confusing to the forces of anti-Christ. Those who live according to the anti-Christ spirit will become utterly confounded when confronted by those who make use of the weapons we find laid out for us in this verse.

Matthew 5:44—But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
(MSG) 43-47 "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. 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, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

Proverbs 25:21, 22—If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
(MSG) If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.

 

FATHER, I still have need to learn these Kingdom principles. I am convicted there are yet some people I have not forgiven. Please give me the grace to work toward the restoration of fellowship with them. They have done wrong to me, but not nearly as much as I have done wrong toward You. With Your grace, I am ready to get these matters settled. Oh, help me even to draw these people toward embracing the ways of Your Kingdom. Let my life shine as a light for them on the difficult path that lies ahead for all of us.

Being Compassionate Even As the Lord Is
—Matthew 18:23-35

 

 

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