August 22, 2022
Loving Those Who Hate
Beloved one, have you ever asked God to help you to love your haters? Have you ever been challenged to love in difficult situations? Sometimes it’s hard to love people who hate you and do evil. (Luke 6:27-28) The Apostle Paul demonstrated love when he was in prison. In terrible circumstances, he hated evil but continued to love. (Romans 12:9) In fact, during his house arrest in Rome, he wrote the Epistles known as the Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. As you read them remember they were written from a prison cell. He didn’t allow his situation in prison to hinder him from sharing the Gospel message to encourage the body of Christ. Even in this situation, God was at work to empower Paul to change lives and walk in love.
“You have heard the law that says, love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as the true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (Matthew 5:43-45 NLT)
Jesus did the same, He was beaten, mocked, and crucified, yet on the cross He prayed, ‘Father to forgive them (His enemies) because they don’t know what they’re doing.’ (Luke 23:34) That is pure love! Can you love someone who hates you and inflicts suffering? Demonstrating love from your heart doesn’t mean you agree with their hatred and evil. Love requires you to pray for those who despitefully use you or do you wrong. Pray for them because God loves them too! He desires to save their soul.
Pray with me:
Father God, I boldly come before your throne; I forgive my enemies and yours. I ask you to show me how to love the way You love. Thank You for living in my heart, guiding, and leading me to be more like You. Show me how to hate evil yet love the hater. Father open my spiritual eyes to see others the way You see them (the finished work). I ask you to save their soul. Come into their hearts Lord and open their eyes to see the truth in Jesus’ all-powerful name I ask. Amen.
