How Do I Love My Enemies?ਨਮੂਨਾ

The Love You’ve Been Shown

In Matthew 18, Jesus tells the pointed parable of a wicked servant who, though forgiven a huge debt by his master, refuses to forgive the small debt of one of his co-workers.

Everyone who heard the story knew that the wicked servant deserved to be punished. He had freely been given so much; why wouldn’t he give even a little in return?

The fact is, we have been shown amazing love from God.

“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son...” (Romans 5:10 NIV)

We were God’s enemies. We acted in ways that were offensive to Him. We lusted. We lied. We powered up. We stepped on others to advance.

And yet, He showed us unbounded love. He sacrificed His life on the Cross to rescue us.

If ever there was a reason to love our enemies, this was it: God loves His.

I had a friend who gave me a really nice guitar. It was an incredible gift, more than I would have ever been able to afford. Several years later, he said he wanted to give me another guitar, but I had to give the first guitar away to someone else who wouldn’t have been able to afford it.

He modeled loving generosity to me, and then he invited me to participate with him by putting his example into practice in my life.

It was so much fun to give away that guitar, especially knowing another one was coming!

We want to be men who can joyfully give away love, knowing that the Heavenly Father will not be stingy in giving us even more love in return. We will never be able to out-love His love!

Never forget the love shown to you and the sacrifice made for you. Remembering that will give you the strength and impetus to love even your enemies.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me always remember Your love. Help me truly grasp its height, length, width, and depth. Fill my cup to overflowing with Your love, and then help me be a man who pours that overflow onto the lives of those around me, including my enemies. Amen.

Reflection: Why is acknowledging the love shown to you by God so important when it comes to loving your enemies? Write down some ways that God showed His love for you when you didn’t deserve it. Who in your life do you feel doesn’t deserve your love? What would it take to show love to that person?