Words Of Encouragement To Start The Day (Thursday 08/12/2010)

Today’s Devotional Written By One Up For Elevation: Tracy Koweh (soon To Be Dixon)

Love My Enemies

What!!!

Matthew 5:43-48 (New Living Translation)

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Yesterday I sent the blog to a friend who doesn't actually receive them daily. He replied back to say that just because our enemies are our footstools, it doesn't mean we are to mistreat or judge them. I could only reply back, thanks for the confirmation because part 2 was coming and it was going to be just that. Now, in the first blog it never said anything about mistreating or crushing anybody and that’s because in my own personal situation, loving my enemies got me in the position to be able to go up for promotion.

Let's back track. Two years ago. Same job. Same co-workers. Same boss. Same job title, but I couldn't even apply for another position because the people who were over me had ammo to use against me: ammo I had given them. So what changed? Not my job, not my co-workers and not my boss. I did. I had to realize that although they attacked me, they were still created by God. I had to begin to walk Matt 5:43-48 and not just pray about things.

So many times we miss out as Christians because we are either too busy judging others, looking down on them, or trying to do what only God can do, and that’s change people. If we ever get to a place where we can be CHRIST like no matter who or what the situation is, God will be able to do great things in our lives and with our lives. Our witness should be so powerful that it turns the hearts of our enemies. In my case God did just that. The person, who tried to destroy my name, my character, and my integrity the most, has been so very instrumental in growing me into the employee I am today: one up for a promotion to a supervisor this month.

So today before we sentence someone to the pit of hell, let us seek the Kingdom and make sure we are allowing our light to shine in the midst of darkness. Let us be mindful to show love, when we receive hate. Mercy when we there is no compassion given to us. If you need a reason other than the Word says so, how about it’s because Christ did it and still does it for us.