Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) 44 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…
Our hearts don’t always think of the right thing to do. If we are hurting, sometimes it can tell us to do the wrong thing. Or it might keep us from doing the right thing. In cases where we have been hurt, scripture or verses like this will guide us to do right, in spite of how we feel.
This is a very humbling and right-to-the point verse and it will bring healing in many ways if we let it. We need to reach a point within ourselves to be able to act out in such a way. This kind of change requires help from the Holy Spirit.
Loving our enemy(s) is impossible to do on our own. There is no way we will love them if we don’t have God’s Spirit moving in us.
Blessing those who curse us, well, that’s just plain not happening without God’s help.
Do good to those who do what to us? HATE us.
Try doing something good for someone who hates us and see how far we get while still having the right attitude toward them.
Praying for those who spitefully use us and persecute us? OK, How? How do we pray if our heart is broken, angry and sad? We don’t. At least not by our own strength. Or if we do, we don’t do it for the right reason and we don’t have the right motive.
It takes God’s help to walk this verse out. It takes the Holy Spirit moving in us.
How do we find freedom or healing in any of this? It sounds like it is just hard work and painful.
We find freedom, peace and healing when we sincerely want to see that person (or people) get help. Not just any help, but God’s help. When we want God’s will for that person, His blessings on them and everything else that He has for them, we know we’re on the right track.
When we begin to pray for them, it may feel like it is hurting us more than we can stand. But that pain will subside when we stick with it and do what He tells us to do. When we put ourselves aside, we will learn how to love in spite of the pain and hurt we feel.
We will soon find God’s peace. Not by figuring it all out, but by doing the right thing and leaving the rest in God’s hands.
Thank you, God, for teaching us these things. We love you and we want to do what is best. Help us to love and pray for those who have hurt us. In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-315-0902
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