Feb 24: Matthew 5:43-48
Key Verse: Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Devotion:
As we grow up in this world we learn worldly responses to worldly events – some of them are not always the right response we should have to those events. Jesus tried to show people a new way of living whilst He lived amongst us. He went out of His way to show love to people who others had already discarded or deemed not to be worthy of any love!
We need to try to be more like Jesus in that way and to not judge people just because they have done something wrong or because they are different to us. We need to be open to the idea others need a chance to live their lives and that they could change their ways if they were give the chance to do so. Jesus was always willing to give people chances to change their ways.
He also warned us to allow people to make their own choices and if they chose to continually work against us, then we should be ready to walk away instead of picking a fight with them. But our first response should be to show them love because that may well be the one thing in life they have not had!
When Jesus showed love to people who were known to be sinners, those people often turned their lives around and began to walk with Him. This does nto mean we should eb the ultimate push-overs and accept everything and anything which comes our way… but we should be willing to show people they have a chance of getting things right!
Points to Ponder:
How often do you judge someone based on what others say?
How often do you show love to those who work against you?