Matthew 5:43,44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you'”.
It sound crazy to hear that to “hate your enemy” was taught. But actions were the focus in the Old Testament. Not saying that it was correct, just their focus. They sought to keep the law. As in to make it doable. But it wasn’t meant to be kept (as in to make one righteous), but to show how far we are from keeping it. That’s why there were sacrifices.
Jesus comes on the scene and corrects them. He taught that it’s to be of the heart. We aren’t to only keep it outwardly, but inwardly as well. This was a game changer. One that was offended the priests of the day.
He also asks for us to do something quite unnatural, to love and pray for our enemies. That’s tough. I’m at the tail end of an issue at work in which I feel a couple of coworkers were behaving in an underhanded way. I am still having a difficult time forgiving and praying for them. I’ve had to do it by faith, as I can’t muster up the feeling. I’ll forgive and move on, but once it comes to mind I’m right back being resentful. Then I have to go through the forgiveness process again.
Peter feels he’s being charitable by responding to Jesus’ charge by saying, ‘Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times”‘, (Matthew 18:21,22). This is impossible to do. We need the Lords help.
Mark 9:23,24 gives an honest response to the Lord. ‘But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”’ That’s how I feel. In my mind I know what to do, but the impossibility of getting my heart to follow is too much. I need His help.
God uses tough times to build our character and to cause us to lean on Him for help. I Peter 1:6,7 says, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” I’m presently distressed by the various trials. I know He will bring me through.
Lord, thank You for Your work in us and the help You give. Help me to praise You and to rise above this.