Love and Forgive Your Enemy

Daily Devotional – Thursday, January 12, 2023
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)

When Jane received information that Charles was in hospital following a car crash, she could hardly hide her excitement. “Finally, God has avenged us and punished the monster for his wickedness.” She said.

He Deserves His Fate

He friend, Mercy, could not hide her shock and disgust. “How can you wish someone else harm? You are a Christian, for God’s sake.” Mercy admonished Jane. There was a moment of awkward silence, as if Jane was absorbing her friend’s reprimand.

“Why should I care?” Jane suddenly found her voice. “Because of his careless drunken driving, my brother is crippled. I have zero pity for Charles. I hope he ends up on a wheelchair, too.”

Be Good to Your Foes

Mercy thought quickly. She asked God to help her find the right message to help her hurting friend. She read from the Sermon on the Mount:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44)

How Can I Forgive Him?

It was as if Jane was hearing these words of the first time. She pondered Christ’s words but still found it difficult to love Charles and with him good health. Despite being a Bible teacher, Jane found it easier to hate her enemy.

“I want to obey Jesus and forgive and love Charles but I will not.” She said.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Mercy quoted John 15:12. “Jesus is not requesting you to love Charles. He is commanding you.”

Reconciling with the Adversary

It took an hour of discussion and many other Bible passages on love and forgiveness for Jane to change her mind. Finally, Mercy suggested they pray over the issue. Jane asked God for forgiveness because she had disobeyed Christ’s command to forgive Charles. She also prayed for the spirit and ability to love and forgive her enemy.

Later that day, Jane and Mercy visited Charles at the hospital. Jane told Charles she had forgiven him for maiming her brother. Charles did not only accept the forgiveness, he asked for pardon. He also gave his life to Jesus right there on the hospital bed.

Love and Forgive Your Enemy

What had started as rejoicing for the downfall of an enemy ended up as forgiveness, reconciliation and salvation for a lost soul. Jane demonstrated that when we allow Jesus to control us, we can do the unthinkable, like loving and pardoning our enemies.

Which enemy are you finding hard to love and forgive? Do you still hold hard feelings against people who have hurt you and silently or openly wish them evil? Ask God to pardon you and grant you the willingness and ability to love and forgive your enemies “that you may be a son or daughter of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:45).

Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me the willingness and ability to love and forgive my enemies.