Jesus called His disciples to…
But I say to you, Love your enemies. (Matthew 5:44)
After expressing the general principle of loving one’s enemies, Jesus moved on to specifics: “Do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27-28) He’s calling His followers to not just love their enemies in principle or in some passive manner, but to show them love through their actions.
Jesus called His disciples to “bless those who curse you,” meaning those who verbally attack you with insults, scorn, or verbal abuse. It’s natural to respond in kind, but Jesus taught His disciples to break that cycle of anger and hatred by blessing those who revile them. While at times we are right to respond to someone who is verbally attacking us, Scripture teaches us to do so wisely and lovingly.
He also said to “pray for those who abuse you.” The KJV translates this as “them which despitefully use you,” while other translations say “those who mistreat you.” Jesus’ call for His disciples to pray for people who mistreat them represents a supernatural form of love which reflects God’s love for humanity.
After teaching His disciples the principle of loving one’s enemies, giving examples of behavior which would put this principle into action, Jesus went on to say, “As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31) —Peter Amsterdam [1]
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. —Martin Luther King Jr.
[1] Anchor Surpassing Love
https://www.sunrisedevotional.com/english/jesus-called-his-disciples-to
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