Friday, November 21, 2014

Love My Enemies?!!! You're Kidding Right BY: KB © 11.21.14

I've been in the habit of quoting 1 Corinthians 13 whenever I want to discuss love. The passage defines the character and content of love; today, I want to talk about love in our actions. The Hebrews 13: 2 type love  (NIV) “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Begging the question: What do you actions say about you?

Jon 3: 17 – 19 17
But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 
19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him…
How does the love of God abide in him? This question is taken directly from the text. I recently had to check myself on this very question. How could I claim to be a follower of Christ and continue to nurse resentments? Christ cannot and will not dwell in the duality of the situation.

Romans 12:9-21 (NIV) 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


I thought to myself “Man this is crazy!!! How could I possibly love my enemies?!!!” I mean I was truly wrestling with this concept. Being a fighter most of my life it was really hard for me to get a clear understanding of this but then the answer came to me in the midst of prayer. I was praying about a situation that involved contention and stress in my life when the Lord spoke to my spirit in a clear and concise manner. He told me that I could love my enemies when I love Him and stop questioning. It was as simple as that. It doesn't place onus on anyone but me..I can’t walk a line and pick and choose what parts of the word I’m going to follow. I must be “all in” with my love and trust for God.

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