September 08

My Enemy


But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are cruel to you.

Luke 6:27-28 (NCV)


Boy, is this passage convicting. Have you ever had someone hurt you … on purpose? Know someone who goes out of her way to make your life miserable?

I have.

I’m sorry to say I’ve taken the middle road—that is to say, I have done nothing … except maybe complain to friends. Sure I haven’t retaliated; I haven’t gotten even; but is that all Jesus expects of me? To do nothing? No. He wants me to be proactive for the benefit of my enemy. He tells me to do good, to bless, and to pray for this individual. So ... I will do good to him; I will bless him; I will pray for him—starting now.

Do you have a similar situation? If so, let’s do this together. Let’s start listening to what Jesus has to say … let’s start loving our enemies.


Father, thank You for this convicting truth: it’s not enough to refrain from retaliation. You want me active, doing good to my enemies, to those who don’t deserve it … just like You did for me. Open this path to reconciliation and peace. Amen.