Bless Your Enemies
Romans 12:14-16 (MSG) Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
Isn't it interesting that God's ways are so opposite of our natural tendencies? When someone has wronged us, we initially want to wrong them back or tell the world of their wrong doings. God tells us very clearly to bless them. What does that even look like? The next part of the scripture says not to curse them under your breath. This is significant because we can easily place a fake smile on our face when our enemy is near and pretend all is well, but what is going on in your mind about them and what words might you be mumbling under that fake smile?
Many of us desire to grow closer to God but struggle in the simple things. If we cannot let go of the hurt and the pain that was caused by others, how can we allow God to work in our lives? Clearly, we are trying to take our business in our own hands when we hold on to such petty things. Look at the bigger picture; people are dying every day without knowing Christ! We have a big job to do, we are to spread the gospel of Christ by being the hands and feet of Jesus. We should be making friends with nobodies and putting others first. We cannot live in a world full of sin and blend in and expect to make a difference.
We are to live in this world full of sin and stand out! We are to be clean vessels for God. Who can we reach when we don't look any different than the rest of the world? Do you look like Christ in your walk today? Do you sound like Christ when you speak? What words come out of your mouth? What is the atmosphere like in your home? Do people love to be around you? Are you an encourager or a complainer? Think about these things. Spend time getting real with yourself and ask yourself, who are you trying to please? God or man? Man will always fail you but God has never let us down! Choose to love others.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (TPT) Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.
