Posted on 08/04/2023 4:44:13 AM PDT by metmom
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. . . . We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:7, 19).
True love cannot be generated on the human level. It’s a gift from God.
Scripture often makes seemingly impossible demands of us. For example, Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). That's easy to say, but how is it possible? Our natural tendency is to love our friends and hate our enemies. But Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (vv. 46-47).
Israel viewed tax-gatherers as traitors, and Gentiles as spiritual outcasts. Yet even traitors and outcasts show love and kindness to those who reciprocate. Jesus calls us to a much higher standard of love—one that is impartial, like God demonstrates when He “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (v. 45). As we see from God Himself, it extends even to those who aren't worthy: “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
Despite generations of rebellion and slander against His holy will and name, God sacrificed His beloved Son, thereby providing the means by which sinners can be saved. Out of love, Jesus willingly endured the pain and shame of the cross and paid the price of our redemption. Now that's divine love in action!
God commands you to love as He loves: impartially and sacrificially. That may sound impossible on the human level but remember that God never requires you to do anything He hasn't already enabled you to do. At the moment of your salvation, the Holy Spirit took up residence within you and began producing the fruit of love (Gal. 5:22). You don't have to muster it up on your own. All you have to do is invite the Spirit to take control, allowing Him to govern your thoughts and actions. As you do, His precious fruit will be multiplied in your life.
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for the love of the Spirit He has placed within you.
Ask Him for opportunities today to learn how to love more perfectly.
For Further Study
Memorize Galatians 5:22-23.
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Oh yes it’s hard to love our enemies. I’ve found if I just get in my knees abs humble myself before God I’m able to pray for them and give thanks for stinking circumstances and persecution. God always turns it around and adjusts my attitude. It’s much healthier that way. He takes care of the justice part.
Since God is Love praying for and loving our enemies is a core concept of Christianity. It is rarely found outside of Christianity but it elevates the believer to a divine level of perspective and allows forgiveness which in turn protects us from bitterness which can corrode us.
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