47. Love Your Enemies

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:44-45a

In light of the context of Blog45, we are to love all of mankind. We can always think on the difficulty or even impossibility of this task without the help of God. But we must never forget that we too were once sinners living in the darkness of our bondage and in captivity to the evil we served. And while we were sinners we knew not the love of Christ pored out on us for the forgiveness of sins but we only knew that sin for which he died. Only now by His grace and persistent calling did we respond to His love and received the gift of true life to our souls. Where than do we stand against non-believers in a stance of self-righteousness? Did we die on the cross? Was it our sacrifice that pleased the Father? We must let go of our pride in the things we had no part in. The christian is not better than the non-christian, we are only better off in that we are saved through the gift of salvation. Who are we to judge against another, or to curse one made in the image of God?

"When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Luke 23:33-34

The Heart of Christ for sinners is one of compassion and mercy, as Peter tells us, he desires that all should be saved. But for those who love their sin more than His mercy, and their darkness more than His life, than we know their final destination, and it is heartbreaking. Jesus here again is our perfect example as our King, during His crucifixion, while hanging on a cross, being spat on and insulted, He prays for mercy on them. How often do we pray that God would destroy the wicked? Kill the homosexuals! Destroy the abortion clinic! Burn down the porn shop! Yes these are evil, and yes these are sins, but our attacks in no way demonstrate the love of God. He knows where sinners will end up if they do not turn to Him and repent, therefore, Be like your Father, and pray for those who are enemies of the cross, that He should have mercy on them and cause them to turn from their sins and turn to the love of Christ for repentance, that they two might be saved.

Father forgive me if i have given You a bad reputation. Teach me to love like You have loved me and to share the good news that You indeed desire all to be saved through faith in Your son, be glorified in my life and use me as your representative to live out the Gospel and share Your love. May You change the hearts of those in my life and may we humbly come before Your greatness in a plea for mercy, be glorified my Lord and adored.