Beloved, let’s love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)
We recently had a sermon based on Jesus’ words recorded in Luke, chapter six, where he spoke to a crown of listeners. Verses twenty-seven and thirty-five jumped out at me:
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.”
And
“But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people.”
“Love your enemies.” Really? What popped into my mind was how I had to forgive my father’s killer, but love him?
For readers who don’t know, my dad was murdered fifty years ago and the case remains unsolved.
When I stated above that I had to forgive, it was for my own mental health and the state of my heart.
These words in Luke reminded me to take Jesus and His words seriously. Following a parable at that time, my Lord asked His listeners in verse 46, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
One New Testament verse says that believers are known for loving one another. Love is mentioned throughout the Bible. And one thing I know is that human love cannot be compared to the love our Father has for us. I plan to spend the rest of my life reading about God’s love. I doubt I will ever grasp the depth.
James 2:8 quotes the familiar Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18) verse that instructs us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
“…fervently love one another from the heart” is written in 1 Peter 1:22. Ouch. That includes my enemies. That includes the person who took Merlin Mosel from his family.
One thing I trust about the Bible is that Scripture backs Scripture. The Bible, often referred to as God’s love letter to His children, tells us to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).
As an author of Christian romance, I always try to include in my stories the unbelievable, the unimaginable love Jesus has for us. He died for the world. He lay down His life for His unlovable enemies.
Love an enemy? Love a killer? Ouch again. And again.
Love is a verb. A verb equals action. God is a God of action. He gives us many chances to do good. That doing good includes choosing to love my enemies. Yes, that kind of love goes way beyond a cute or sunny valentine.
Prayer: My dear Lord Jesus, I am a weak sinner. I drift from the seriousness of Your Word. Forgive me for overlooking Your words, and not taking required action. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
We recently had a sermon based on Jesus’ words recorded in Luke, chapter six, where he spoke to a crown of listeners. Verses twenty-seven and thirty-five jumped out at me:
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.”
And
“But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people.”
“Love your enemies.” Really? What popped into my mind was how I had to forgive my father’s killer, but love him?
For readers who don’t know, my dad was murdered fifty years ago and the case remains unsolved.
When I stated above that I had to forgive, it was for my own mental health and the state of my heart.
These words in Luke reminded me to take Jesus and His words seriously. Following a parable at that time, my Lord asked His listeners in verse 46, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
One New Testament verse says that believers are known for loving one another. Love is mentioned throughout the Bible. And one thing I know is that human love cannot be compared to the love our Father has for us. I plan to spend the rest of my life reading about God’s love. I doubt I will ever grasp the depth.
James 2:8 quotes the familiar Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18) verse that instructs us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
“…fervently love one another from the heart” is written in 1 Peter 1:22. Ouch. That includes my enemies. That includes the person who took Merlin Mosel from his family.
One thing I trust about the Bible is that Scripture backs Scripture. The Bible, often referred to as God’s love letter to His children, tells us to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).
As an author of Christian romance, I always try to include in my stories the unbelievable, the unimaginable love Jesus has for us. He died for the world. He lay down His life for His unlovable enemies.
Love an enemy? Love a killer? Ouch again. And again.
Love is a verb. A verb equals action. God is a God of action. He gives us many chances to do good. That doing good includes choosing to love my enemies. Yes, that kind of love goes way beyond a cute or sunny valentine.
Prayer: My dear Lord Jesus, I am a weak sinner. I drift from the seriousness of Your Word. Forgive me for overlooking Your words, and not taking required action. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
RSS Feed
