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February 21st - 28th
Love – it’s more than a feeling….
As we come to the end of February and our exploration of the meanings of “love,” in His omnipotence, God planned for us to study and contemplate what is the most difficult of all – loving our enemies. Yikes!
In Matthew 5:43 the Word says: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” And in verse 44 of that same Book, God tells us: “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.” Matthew 5:46 explains why we are to love our enemies: “For if you love them that love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?” It’s easy to love those who love us, but showing love to our enemies is a sacrifice to our Father.
Again in Luke, Chapter 6, verses 27, 32 and 35 (KJV) the Bible says: “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you; For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinner also love those that love them. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” John 13:34 and 35 (KJV) reiterate that by loving our enemies, we are fulfilling God’s commandment and proving our love for Him. Verse 34: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Verse 35 continues: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Most, if not all, of us have been told to: “Hate the sin but not the sinner.” or: “Turn them over to God and He’ll take care of it.”; both of which are correct and easy to tell someone else. An unfaithful husband, a close friend who betrayed us, a mother who neglected her child, a father who abused his, a jealous and insecure sibling who causes turmoil and tears a family apart, a trusted co-worker who thought your idea was so good that she claimed it for her own; we’ve all been there before, and yet God tells us not to repay evil with evil. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourself, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, sayeth the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (KJV) In the New International Version, Leviticus 19:18 tells us: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
It is true that hate and bitterness are poisons that destroy the containers that hold them. Guard your heart at all times! Some of the best advice we can hear is to keep short accounts with people, especially those whose personalities are difficult for us to handle. If there are any misunderstandings, do your best to settle them quickly – in love.
But you say that “that” person is a thorn in my side; be thankful they’re only a thorn, some people can be an entire bush – yet God tells us to accept them as He has accepted us.
Love is patient: it is long suffering. Love sees the best in people and is the reason that we can endure uncertain times, whether the pain is intentional or not.
Love is kind: it is not rude. Love doesn’t retaliate when our feelings are wounded.
Love is not easily angered: it understands that those who offend us may have done so because they are hurting.
In Psalm 37:8 (NIV), we are instructed to: “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil.” And God tells us in Proverbs 15:1 (KJV) that: “A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.
Love never fails. Look at the Cross. Love is eternally triumphant!
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