“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.”
Matthew 5:44
Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you (not just with your mouth, but from your heart). Do good to them that hate you (not just once, but over and over again). Pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you (good prayers, only. Even amidst the hurt and the heat of betrayal. pray for them.)
It’s amazing how our Father leaves a witness from past events in case one is tempted to argue that our situation is beyond what God can do or that no one has every undergone what we are facing. In the instance of loving your enemies, we see how David related with Saul after everything Saul did to him in 1 Samuel 24:3-7. For the commandment to bless them that curse you, we see what Stephen did in Acts 7:60, when He blessed and asked for mercy upon the very people that killed him.
In the case of forgiving and doing good to those who hate you, put yourself in Joseph’s shoes and see how big a deal it was when he forgave his brothers in Genesis 50:19-21. And for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, look at how Jesus prayed for the people whose only joy was to ridicule Him. Luke 23:34, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.“
So then, is it possible to go the extra mile? Of course, it is. There are men whose lives are living examples that it is possible to live in this way even in our time. Hence, we have no excuse. What we must do instead is to accept the possibility and seek the grace to live as Christ dictated. And that’s what is really beautiful about this: how merciful and willing God is to give you the grace to do the things He wants you to do. Therefore, all you have to do is accept it and live in the reality of that grace. May the Lord help us all.
Prayer
- Father, I receive the grace of “the extra mile.” Help me to keep to all of your words even when I desire to prove myself.
- Help me to humble myself so that you are glorified continually. In the name of Jesus, Amen
- Lord, give me the patience to wait onyou so your work is fulfilled in mein the name of Jesus. Amen.
This is our first message for today. May this message bless you on your spiritual journey. Please share your thoughts in the comments below, and click here for more resources to aid in your spiritual growth.
Have a pleasant day!I
2 Comments
Amen.
God has given me the grace to go the extra mile. He’s only waiting for me to take the first step.
Thank you
I receive and engage the grace to go extra mile in Jesus name (Amen)