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(Matthew 5:44) “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
SERIES 8: BECOMING LIKE JESUS. 21. Loving our enemies (Choosing grace when others have hurt us).
Following Jesus means learning to love people who have hurt us. This is one of the hardest things Jesus asks of us, because when someone has wounded us, our natural response is often to protect ourselves, hold on to resentment, or hope that they will experience the same pain they caused us.
But Jesus calls us to a different way.
Loving our enemies does not mean pretending that what they did was acceptable. It does not mean ignoring injustice, remaining in an abusive situation, or refusing to establish healthy boundaries. Sometimes love means creating distance. Sometimes forgiveness takes time. But even when we cannot restore a relationship, we can choose not to allow bitterness to control our hearts.
Jesus tells us to pray for those who have hurt us. Prayer changes our perspective. Instead of continually replaying the wrong that was done to us, we place the person and the situation into God’s hands. We ask Him to bring justice where justice is needed, healing where there is pain, and transformation where there is brokenness.
Jesus Himself demonstrated this kind of love to us. Even as He was being crucified, He prayed for those who were responsible for His suffering: “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
Choosing grace does not make us weak. It frees us from being controlled by the actions of others.
We may not be able to change what someone has done to us, but with God’s help we can choose what we will carry forward.
Today, ask God to help you release resentment, forgive where you can, establish wise boundaries where necessary, and pray for those who have hurt you.
That is what it means to become more like Jesus.
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Let’s pray, “Heavenly Father be merciful to me, for I am a sinner. (Luke 18:13) Amen!!!
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