HALLEUYAH! HALLELUYAH!! HALLELUYAH!!!
RELEASE DATE: April 25, 2022
WEEK 16: (April 25 – May 1, 2022)
WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS:
Luke 6: 35 – 36 (NIV)
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
INTERPRETATION
Christianity is a way of life. Jesus Christ in many of His teachings gave guidelines for an ideal Christian living. One of such teachings is where he emphasized loving one’s enemy and being kind to them. Many have asked am I really supposed to love my enemies? To be straight, the answer is YES. Why this might be of great concern is that somehow, it’s against the natural law of this world. It’s counterintuitive to love who’s seeking to harm you. How then can you love someone who doesn’t love you?
It’s easier for you to love people who already love you, particularly your spouse, children and friends; it’s self-serving and like loving oneself. But Jesus comes along and insists that not only are we to love those who love us but we are even to love those who don’t love us. A carnal man will reject this outrightly. Some might believe that they do not even have an enemy. Even our Lord Jesus Christ had his own enemy when he was on the earth and he loved them even till the point of death as it was evident in what he said on the cross “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing”. But why then does Jesus want us to love our enemies?
Some people do good to their enemies out of a perverted sense of retaliation. They say that when we do good for an enemy, it brings greater judgment. Some will go to the extent of quoting Proverbs 25:21- 22 and Romans 12: 20. Paul in his epistle to the Romans says, “Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. (MSG). Proverbs 25:22 says “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”. (MSG). Therefore, it’s not about retaliation, it’s the same as what Jesus is teaching that you should love your enemies.
How should we then respond to our enemies? As followers of Jesus Christ, we’ve been given three responses to have towards our enemies 1 – do good to those who hate you, 2 – bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. It might sound impossible and by ‘natural’ reaction, it might be difficult to do. But by the mercy of God and with God’s involvement, it’s doable. Make up your mind that you want to be kind to your enemies. Remember, a kind word turns away wrath and most importantly, loving your enemies demonstrates that you belong to Jesus Christ. Be kind to your enemies!
PRAYER
Jehovah, Jesus Christ, Holy Michael, thank you for your word. We pray that you teach us to love our enemies. Grant us the spirit to do good even when it is least convenient. Strengthen our soul to be a blessing to others, particularly our enemies and guide us on a path to expressing love not only to those who love us but also to our enemies. This and many more we ask for through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you and God bless. Shalom.
Footnote: “A life without Christ is full of crisis but life in Christ is a great life full of peace. Let that be your Guide & Guard”
Isaiah 59:1 – Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear”