Like or Love

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27‭-‬28 NIV

Well I felt instantly convicted when I read this verse, coming up with all kinds of ways that showing God's love to my enemies doesn't mean I have to like them. We are only human after all. This is probably the hardest verse of them all to follow. Blessing those who mean to do you harm, those who set you up to fail, teachers who hone in on one student to make them miserable, co workers who misunderstand you and feel threatened. People who are in self preservation mode and are only concerned about themselves. It's really tough to love these people as God loves them.

But try this: think about someone you love unconditionally. Now think about them doing something wrong. Would you be upset? Of course, and you would have a right to be. But would you still love them? The answer is probably yes. This is God's love. Love that transcends whatever a person has done. Love that only wants what's best.  It is way beyond a feeling.

For many wronged in life, restitution may not come in this life. But it will come one day and if we can't forgive, if we can't bless them, then we are no better than those who wronged us. God doesn't grade sin. It's all sin.

I need to practice this more. That's my prayer tonight that God will help me do this.