It is hard to love your enemies, but you can do it with the strength of God and by doing so you are not only a powerful testimony of God’s love to that person but also to the people around you.

Luke 6:27-36

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you.

³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Loving your enemies. What a way to stand out in this world. A lot of my work mates who are not Christian, have rated themselves as ‘better people’ than Christians that they know. I haven’t disagreed as they are lovely people indeed and do a lot of good to other people. Loving your enemies though, that’s one thing that society doesn’t expect from anyone and is a powerful way to be an ambassador and witness at your work place and community.

In my current role I have a workmate that I would probably class as my enemy as she can be so annoying, and it has been so hard to get along with her. Other people also notice that she has picked me as a ‘special target’ and have gone to the manager to report on what they have overheard her say to me. The managers have asked if I wanted them to speak to her, but I have not wanted any consequences for her.

I have prayed for God to give me his love for her and I’m sure that it is only by his strength that I haven’t punched her face but have had mercy on her. I have given her books and chocolates and even offered her to stay at our place when she was worrying about being homeless. I can say that the true feelings of compassion for her are certainly from God and not me.

A few weeks ago, I was tired and stressed and feeling angry. I didn’t even want to pray and skipped my morning devotions in the car. That day she happened again to snap at a few of us and I retaliated. I snapped back at her and everyone around me heard. To top it off I gave her the finger when she turned around and the very people I have been witnessing to saw me do it. Even though I apologized the next day to her I feel ashamed for reacting how I did. In my own strength it is easy enough to love my friends. That day I certainly learnt that I need to depend on God every day to be able to love my enemies as well.

Head: Think about someone in your life who is an ‘enemy’ for you.

Heart: Pray for God to give you love and compassion for this person.

Hands: Think of a practical way you can show love to this person the next time you see them.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me perfectly even though I was your enemy. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Father forgive me for the times that I have not relied on you and have retaliated towards my enemies. I pray that you give me strength and opportunities to love my enemies and that it could be a testimony of your grace and mercy to others. To you be all the glory, in Jesus’ name, amen.

A song to listen to: Mercy Mercy

Petrina Rangiawha