3/13/25 Love Your Enemies

Takeaway: Jesus calls us to radical love.

Opening Prayer

Lord God, I come before You with a heart ready to receive Your truth. Fill this time with Your presence and open my eyes to see You more clearly. Strengthen my faith, refine my heart, and guide my steps according to Your will. May this devotion draw me closer to You and deepen my trust in Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

Jesus’ command to love our enemies is one of the most challenging teachings in all of Scripture. It runs against every human instinct. We are wired to protect ourselves, to seek justice, and to distance ourselves from those who hurt us. Yet, Jesus calls us to something higher—to reflect the love of God even to those who oppose us.

When Jesus spoke these words, He was addressing a people who were no strangers to oppression. The Jewish people lived under Roman rule, taxed heavily, mistreated, and often disregarded. To hear that they were to love their oppressors must have sounded absurd. And yet, Jesus didn’t just teach this; He lived it. Even as He was crucified, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Loving our enemies doesn’t mean excusing wrongdoing or pretending that harm hasn’t been done. It means responding in a way that refuses to mirror hate. Loving our enemies doesn’t just impact them—it transforms us. It frees us from the burden of bitterness and allows us to experience the fullness of God’s love. Jesus didn’t just call us to this kind of love; He demonstrated it at every turn.

When we love our enemies, we reflect the very heart of God. This kind of love is not possible in our own strength, but with God’s help, we can learn to love as He loves.

Question

What would change in your heart if you prayed for those who have hurt you?

Application

• Do good to those who hate you. Love is more than a feeling; it’s an action. This means treating those who have wronged us with kindness, not revenge.

• Bless those who curse you. Our words hold power. Instead of speaking negativity or seeking to tear down those who hurt us, we are called to speak words of blessing.

• Pray for those who mistreat you. Prayer changes things, but more importantly, it changes us. When we pray for our enemies, we begin to see them as God sees them—broken, in need of grace, just like us.

Closing Prayer

Lord, Your love is greater than my hurt, my anger, and my pride. Teach me to love as You love—even when it’s difficult. Give me the strength to do good, to bless, and to pray for those who have wronged me. Transform my heart so that I may reflect Your grace in every circumstance. Amen.

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