By Andrew Williams
‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’
Matthew 10:35-36 NLT
Good morning fellow disciples.
If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you will have many enemies. An enemy is “one that is antagonistic to another especially: one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent”.
I’m not even going to give you practical reasons why you should give thanks for your enemies. If you’re a disciple of Christ, you will obey Jesus and his apostles. Here are just two verses that speak to how we should treat our enemies:
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:43-44 NLT, and
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1 NLT
Jesus says that we should love our enemies and pray for them even when they persecute us. Paul tells us that we should pray for all people, and that includes your enemies. He goes on to say that we should give thanks for them !
Are you doing that?
Prayer: Father God, if I have enemies because I’m serving You, I am grateful for them. At one point in time I used to be like them because I fought against persons who were serving You. Now that I am Your child, I will live obedient to Your will and to Your way .
You say that I should love my enemies: I will love them!
You said that I should pray for them: I will pray for them !
You say that I should give thanks for them: I will give thanks for them!
I pray that as they see me living the way that You command, they will come to know You as Lord, Savior, and King. May you give them life changing encounters like You did Saul the persecutor, who then became Paul the Apostle.
Lord Jesus, thank You for teaching and showing me how to treat my enemies. Help me to live fully obedient to Your commands. Amen.
Amen