The month of February is famous for the holiday known as Valentine’s Day. A day when many people profess their love for those they care about. Husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, all share gifts, cards and candy. Elementary students exchange Valentine cards with their classmates. Fathers buy their daughters stuffed animals. Even pet owners stop by the pet store and pick up treats for their furry little companions.
It is so easy to love the ones you care about but what about those who don’t have your best interest at heart. Not so easy is it? We have all been lied on or talked about or maybe someone’s jealously has led them to sow discord between you and others you associate with.
Whatever the case may be, saying you love them may be far from your mind. Consider Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:44: “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.”
You are probably thinking “easier said than done”, “You don’t understand how bad he hurt me”, “You don’t know how much pain she caused our family”. You are right and this may be one of the toughest lessons to get across. Consider this, while Jesus was on the cross He prayed for those who were persecuting Him, asking His Father to forgive them. Later after Jesus’ ascension, we see Stephen, being persecuted, cry unto the Lord in Acts 7:60 “Lord lay not this sin to their charge”.
While these examples are extreme, as Christians our lives should reflect the image of Christ. How well do we reflect His image when we give in to the “hate” that is projected at us? If Jesus and Stephen could love through persecution and death what is our excuse for some of the minor things we incur?
Paul teaches us in Romans 12:14 to “Bless those who persecute you…” There is a reward in loving your enemy. Proverbs 25:21-22 reads “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.”
I encourage you this year to make a stand, open yourself up to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to help you love through the hate that is directed your way. This will take some serious prayer and fasting, but the reward will be great!