Loving Our Enemies

rose and shadowBy Sherma-Jacqueline Felix

In John 13:34, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  It’s easier read, and easier said, than done.

We often feel that in order for us to love others, they have to be nice to us.  It is much easier to love others if they have never talked about us behind our backs, and never hurt us.  We think they should be people that agree with everything we say and do.

That’s not what Jesus said.  He said to love one another as He has loved us.  Clearly we do not have it all together.  We didn’t have it all together when we got born again either!  Jesus loved us in our filth and mess.  He loved us in our sin and unrighteousness, and He loved us with all our drama.  Now, we want to love people only if they’re squeaky clean.  That’s not right.

According to Matthew 5:44, Jesus wants us to love even our enemies!  He said that we should bless those that curse us, do good to those that hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us.  So as we step out in faith to love other people, whether they’ve been good to us or not, we have to keep in mind the words of Jesus as He has instructed us.

No one said it would be easy, but it is doable.  The people who have disappointed us, and the ones that we have disappointed.  The people who have lied on us, and the ones that we have lied on.  The people who have talked about us like dogs, and those we have talked about liked dogs.  We are to love them all, and show the love of Jesus towards them by our actions.

How do we do this?  The same way we would if we had to eat an elephant ~ one bite at a time.  Just take one step at a time, one person at a time.  Pray for them, do good to them if you can, and when the opportunity arises, show the love of God however you can.  Jesus said we should!

#ElevateYourHeart

© 2015 Sherma-Jacqueline Felix. All rights reserved.
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About the author :
Sherma-Jacqueline is a Bible Teacher, Conference Speaker, Mentor, and Passionate Writer.  She has always enjoyed writing, and started off by keeping a diary in her teens.  She began prayer journaling over 18 years ago and began teaching on Prayer 11 years ago.  Her desire is to see the women of God rise up and be all that they’re called to be: Bold, Strong, Courageous and overflowing with His Word!

Visit her at: shermajacqueline.tumblr.com

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