Saturday, January 26, 2008

Love your enemies

Luke 6: 27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
 
When we are in Jesus, we really have no enemies.  After all, what can anyone do to us that will diminish our eternal inheritance or detract from the divine quality of life we enjoy.  On the other hand, we can expect others to despise "Jesus in us" because they are reminded of God's reality and they do not want to face Him.  If our response to attitudes of condescension, rudeness or meanness is to love, it may well serve to break down the resolve to resist the one who longs for them to also come Home. (and our love is really His, coming through us).
 
In a sense then, it is not us they hate and it is not we who love.  But we who may be mistreated and they who may be the cause must both yield to Jesus for love to do its work!
 
blessings,
Rob Smith
Please note that my email address has changed to: toanosmith@yahoo.com.  Thanks!

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