LOVING OUR ENEMIES
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LOVING OUR ENEMIES
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I Prayed
have prayed
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Forgiveness. It’s one of those things we love to receive, but find it so difficult to grant. And yet Jesus’ words are uncomfortably clear. Especially the ones right there in the middle, “as we.”
It reminds us of what Jesus commanded in Matthew 7:12, widely known as The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” But it appears that in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus is digging a little deeper than that. Could there be a rule, a spiritual principle, even more profound? Perhaps a rule that says, “Do unto others as you would have God do unto you”? Let’s examine some of the possible implications in light of forgiveness.
If we say, “But God, this person really hurt me deeply,” God might answer, “That is true, but shall I tell you how deeply you hurt Me?”
If we say, “But God, why should I forgive her? She never repented!”; God might answer, “There are many things you never repented of either. Shall I forgive you?”
If we say, “He says he’s sorry, but then the very next day he does it again!”; God might say, “How many times have you done [fill in the blank] and still expect me to forgive you?”
Or putting all those things together, what do you think the Lord’s response would be if we were to say, “But God, he hurts me deeply over and over and over and has never shown the slightest degree of remorse?”
If we truly understood the spiritual principle at work here what would the logical conclusion be? Might we possibly be led to go so overboard in our repentance that we not only forgive the violation, but even invite another? Of course not, that’s ridiculous. Then again, might it look something like this?
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.” – Luke 6:27-30
The whole concept is summed up a couple of sentences later in verse 38:
“For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
Whoa, that’s heavy. I never really saw it in that light. I’m no prophet, but I think I’m hearing the Spirit say that the problem in the real Church (not the apostate Church) isn’t a lack of repentance, but a lack of forgiveness.
No doubt this revelation has immediate personal application in the lives of some who are reading this. (I know it does in mine.) Might it also have application in light of our present intercession on behalf of America? I throw the out following for your consideration.
We have been fighting political battles for ages. Did Jesus do that? What about the apostles? What if we regarded Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:12 literally, and focused our hatred and attacks on the forces of darkness in the heavenly realm instead of on their earthly human puppets? What if we let God fight our earthly battles while we waged war in the heavenly places? What if we sanctified ourselves and lived our lives as spiritual warriors?
I’m not suggesting that we don’t vote, don’t run for office or don’t involve ourselves in the political process. Nor am I suggesting that those who commit crimes be absolved, for Romans 13 clearly tells us that the proper function of government is to promote the good and hold the wicked accountable. But I am asking if our personal prayer focus may be pointed in the wrong direction. What if we really loved our enemies?
What if . . . ?
Father, forgive us for not heeding your clear call to truly love our enemies. Truth be told, we honestly do not even know what that would look like, the concept is so foreign to most of us. We long for your righteous judgement, and have earnestly prayed that justice might be served. But in our heart of hearts, we know that we too deserve judgement. And if we don’t, it’s only because we have been forgiven through the grace, mercy and lovingkindness poured out upon us through the blood of our Savior.
Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with Your love, understanding and compassion for others. Help us to see the lost through eyes of the Good Shepherd. May we truly understand that you died for all men, and that there is no heart that You cannot touch. Teach us to pray for our enemies and against the forces of darkness that control them. May this fundamental understanding change the way we pray and the manner in which we interact with our fellow man.
So let it be.
Kurt Nauck, Meet You at the Polls (Photo Credit: Unsplash.)
How will you practically love your enemies this week?
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Comments
So many have chosen sides leaving their Christianity behind. Standing for what they think is right and leaving their first love! Bring us back to unity and love for our brothers. Let not our differences draw a line in the sand. But let our love for you and the common good of man bring us together in your name I pray.
Amen! If I don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive me! That calls it home, does it not?
Matthew & Luke, Sermon on the Mount & Sermon in the Valley. Same message whatever situation we find ourselves.
1 Corinthians 26-31, remember your calling brethren…..
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
“Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints”.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
“For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God”.
Philippians 1:8-11
“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” (End of story) 1 John 3:14
“We love, because He first loved us.” (The Narrow Road)
1 John 4:19
May this Covid Sabbath Rest have prepared us for this test. Sean is a Harbinger for the gospel us he not?
Blessings!
One of the ways that the Lord has shown me to pray for my enemies is to ask for God to forgive them, and to reveal Jesus to them for salvation. In that way, I show love to them. And, just as Saul met Jesus, and became the Apostle Paul, these former enemies of Christ become members of the family of God.
Karen,
Thank you for your honesty, and for setting a wonderful example for us by being brave and humble enough to share it with everyone! You have confessed your sin, and He is faithful and just to forgive you your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness! (1 John 1:9)
Many of us would have just never posted again, or “mumbled” a quick apology for jumping to a conclusion, but you demonstrated real spiritual maturity for us all by addressing your situation fully. We have all tripped over our own tongues occasionally when discussing topics we are (rightfully) passionate about, but you have shown us how to properly handle those episodes. Thank you and bless you, sister!
I am forcibly reminded of my humiliation this week for using this platform to speak out (in error) on a subject I find contrary to my beliefs.
The Vatican news issued a disclaimer this week saying the Pope’s statement about all being welcome in the church was never mean to say there was a doctrinal change regarding same sex marriage.
BUT I had already jumped on the bandwagon that indicated that was what he meant and thoroughly judged him mentally and verbally. Now I find the article I saw was taken out of context but I didn’t bother to check it out.
Thus, I got to spend time on my knees before the Lord repenting of my own sin, admitting pride had to go in the face of humiliation and repentance for not keeping a watch over my own mouth.
Repentance is the turning away from my sin Completely and heading in a new direction. May it be so..
As I just began to pray thinking of all mankind and all in America; I saw that there are many people caught up in the webbing of the enemy and could not get free but I also saw President Trump in his dark suit and overcoat and gloves and his red hat and tie…widely swinging something like he was swinging his golf club. Though he was swinging it like the golf club it was not a golf club. I think it was a sword of truth. It was cutting keenly through the thick webbing and freeing even those who were most staunch against him and even as they were screaming at him mocking him and viciously gnashing at him with their teeth…as soon as each would get free they’d spring forward and up on their feet and instantly began clapping and praising him for getting them free. They are in the trap and he sees the corruption they cannot see he sees the enemy they cannot fight against for they are trapped…they are bound…we must in prayer loose them…WE MUST IN PRAYER LOOSE OUR FELLOW AMERICANS FROM THE GRIP OF THE UNSEEN enemy OF THIS LAND!!! Jesus, apply Your healing eye salve to our eyes🔥👁 👁🔥 may we begin to pray for those about to be devoured in the webbing trap the sinking sand trap…TRUMP REPRESENTS US ALL THAT ARE FREE!!! SWING THE MIGHTY SWORD YOU FREED ONES SET YOUR FELLOW AMERICAN FREE…THAT IS THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF AMERICA REPRESENTED BY THE MIGHTY EAGLE…FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOM…OPEN BLIND EYES OPEN…EMPOWER THE TRUMPETER SWINGING THE MIGHTY SWORD AND CUT THROUGH THE TRAP CUT CUT CUT…🗣🔥💨🔥
Jesus says…pray for enemies…pray for their freedom…pray for their eyes to open…some are caught up in things they didn’t mean to get caught up in…some are more caught up than they thought they’d be…some are caught in the trap of the lies being corrupt and not even seeing that they have been trapped…
THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST IS HERE TO MAKE ALL MANKIND FREE!! HE CAME TO NOT JUDGE BUT TO LIBERATE!!!!!
Pray! Pray The Aaronic Blessing over those who seem to be enemies…it is God’s Will it is His Way…JESUS IS THE WAY AND HE NEVER CURSED MANKIND AND DID NOT COME TO JUDGE AND WE ARE STILL IN THE GRACE PERIOD OF TIME. MERCY AND GRACE BE UPON EVERY GOD HATER PERSON…HEAL THEIR EYES OH GOD 🔥👁 👁🔥
WE ARE EACH A TRUMP. A LIBERATOR. A WEILDING SWORD TO CAUSE SHAKEING AND DELIVERANCE. SPEAK HIS TRUTH. SPEAK HIS WAY. BREAK OUT OF US HOLY SPIRIT BREAK THESE JARS OF CLAY AND LET THE LIGHT STREAM FORTH UPON THOSE CAUGHT UP IN ALL OF THE WEBS OF UNTRUTH…🗣🔥💨🔥LIBERATION IS AT HAND…REVIVAL AND REFORMATION👊🏻💥BOOM‼️🔥🙌🏻🔥HALLELUJAH🔥🙌🏻🔥 ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD IN CHRIST AMEN AND AMEN
Please please consider these scriptures when praying:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-5/
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+42%3A10-17&version=KJV
“O fire of God, begin in me;
Burn out the dross of self and sin,
Burn off my fetters, set me free,
And make my heart a heaven within.
Baptize with fire this soul of mine;
Endue me with Thy Spirit’s might
And make me by Thy power divine
A burning and a shining light.” -from the great A.Z. Tozer
Amen!! Thank you Jesus for this article!