Title: Love all including your Enemies

‭Matthew‬ ‭5:43‭-‬44‬ ‭KJV‬

[43]  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.5.43.KJV

Devotion: Jesus started His earthly ministry with sermon on the mountain (Matthew chapter 5-7) where he reorientated the disciples to godly way of living as against the human way. As human beings we will not love or have anything to do with those who hate us or despitefully use us.

 Here Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for them, in other words don't make enemies with anyone. We should just see the "enemies" as ignorant of the word of God and try to bring them into the knowledge of the word of God. 

  He also says to pray for those who persecute us. This isn’t a prayer for them to stay away, but rather a prayer for their good. We should be praying for the salvation of those who intend us harm, asking that they would recognize their actions and turn to God.

  There are two clear reasons why we should show love to our enemies: 

- This is how God treated us. When we were enemies of God, He still showed love to us. He gave us breath and life, and also sent Jesus to restore our relationship with Him.

  - Showing love to our enemies is a counter-cultural action that displays God’s love for them. Romans 12:20-21 tells us that when we love our enemies, we can overcome evil with good. Loving someone who is mean to us provides a way for God’s love to reach those who are far away.

 Dear reader, is there someone difficult to love near you, someone who had despitefully use you. Pray for him or her, tell God to send Holy Spirit into the person's heart to teach the person to change his ways.

 The Bible says in Proverbs 16:7 "When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." I therefore urge you to live peaceably with all, and let your ways please God by your obedience to God's command and you'll receive the promises that follow.  Hallelujah.

©Dr Joel Olanrewaju, reach me on gbemide09@gmail.com for questions, suggestions, counseling and prayer requests. Check ojaysjoel.blogspot.com for more devotionals.