RHAPSODY OF REALITIES THURSDAY, 5TH SEPTEMBER.
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).
Some Christians have what they call, βEnemy vanquishing services,β where they pray against their perceived enemies. But thatβs not scriptural. The Word says, β…Love your enemiesβ¦.β
Whatever God tells you to do is for your benefit. If He tells you to love your enemies, it means you can, and itβs also for your advantage. So, youβve got to do the Word. Moreover, the Word shows that the adversary we contend with isnβt flesh and blood: βFor we wrestle not against flesh and bloodβ¦β (Ephesians 6:12).
Christians who pray against their enemies do so mainly out of fear and insecurity, and thatβs because theyβre ignorant. If Jesus Christ is your Lord, the Master and Shepherd of your life, then you have nothing to fear. David understood this and exclaimed in Psalm 27:1, βThe LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?β Have this same consciousness.
Consider Solomon; the Lord said to him, β…Ask what I shall give theeβ (2 Chronicles 1:7). Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge. Then, God said to him, β…Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemiesβ¦ Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the likeβ (2 Chronicles 1:11-12). This is instructive! The Lord commended him for not asking for the destruction of his enemies.
The desire of the Spirit is to see the salvation of your enemies. Theyβre already in trouble with God if they donβt repent. However, your role is to intercede for them and bring them words by which, or through which they can be saved.
PRAYER
Gracious and loving heavenly Father, I thank you for the counsel in your Word. Youβve given me a heart that loves only, and granted me the capacity to express your love thatβs shed abroad in my heart by your Spirit. I lavishly express your love today, in Jesusβ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
1 John 4:16; Matthew 5:43-45; Romans 5:5
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
2 Corinthians 3:7-4:1-18; Proverbs 16-17
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Luke 21:1-9; 1 Samuel 24
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God Bless You.