Unconditional Love: Transforming Hearts and Lives

English Standard Version Chapter 5

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

As I was preparing this devotion, i was reflecting back on this season not because I am recently attached that i want to talk about the topic of Love. I felt this was a season that God want to speak to me is to Love your enemies. So Jesus teaches His followers the radical command to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, demonstrating that such love reflects God's nature and the call to a higher moral standard. It emphasizes that loving our enemies is not just about feeling goodwill; it's about intentional actions that reflect God's love and grace, even towards those who oppose us. It illustrates how love can lead to transformation in others and ourselves.

my first experience of forgiveness to my enemies was during my poly time serving in the poly ministry. I had a strong arguement with the staff leadership team about how we should do certain things in the ministry. at that point of time i was the poly ministry student leader there is something that I want to change. but it didnt turn out well as both of use are arguing and i left the ministry in anger and hate on the ministry leaders.

It linger with me the anger and hate of them for quite some time till 1 year later when i attend a workshop about forgiveness. During the prayer one of the pastor was telling me that even though you wont be meeting them any more but you still need to forgive them in your heart and submit it to God to forgive them too. This help to set me free of the anger and hate that i had with them. To pray for them to bless them too.

These reminder me even as i encouter people that are like my enemies or i dont like. I will try to pray for bless on the person and submit them to God.