Love Your Enemy, Bless Them, Do Not Curse Them!

THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL IS FOR EVERYONE. The Grace of God has appeared, BRINGING SALVATION TO ALL PEOPLE. EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THE GOOD NEWS.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people," Titus 2:11

We have been CHOSEN, CALLED, and EQUIPPED BY JESUS HIMSELF. Jesus is our Lord, Savior, Teacher, and Leader. He did everything that we could not. IN CHRIST, we have everything we need to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and FOLLOW JESUS. We are chosen, called, and equipped to LOVE OUR ENEMIES.

"who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity," 2 Timothy 1:9

God has not promised an easy journey through this world for His people; rather, we must enter His kingdom through faith despite many trials, tribulations, persecutions, and injustices.

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14

Jesus would not have offered REST if we did not need HIS REST. We need HIS REST because it is guaranteed that we, followers of Christ, will go through GREAT TRIBULATIONS.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.' Matthew 11:28-29

Adversity from the world, sin, and the devil is necessary for spiritual formation. Attacks from the enemy remind us that our only REST AND PEACE IS IN CHRIST--HE'S OUR VICTORY. Therefore, we are to LOVE OUR ENEMIES.

"But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." Galatians 3:22

Our rest will not come from the world, which is under a curse due to sin.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Our REST IS IN CHRIST ALONE, and WE RECEIVE HIS REST AS WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

"But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” These are the ones who cause divisions, are worldly-minded, and are devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen." Jude 1:17-25

Jesus is our only source of PEACE. We, followers of Christ, cannot find peace in any other way than Christ himself--JESUS HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE.

"Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful." John 14:27

Jesus says, FOLLOW ME... because of what Jesus did for us, on our behalf through Grace, we are empowered to DENY SELF, PICK UP YOUR CROSS, and DIE TO SELF. We have received it free, and we are to give it free.

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give." Matthew 10:8

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree." Galatians 3:13

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Trials and tribulations are portrayed as God's tools for purifying us, separating the precious from the vile, and preparing us for eternal glory with Him.

"For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly." 1 Peter 2:19

Tribulations foster patience, a virtue with both passive and active expressions: passively accepting God's will and actively persisting in duty. Through suffering, we gain practical experience of God's will, strengthening our hope and preparing us for service and heaven. It underscores the importance of endurance and maintaining faith despite opposition, drawing parallels with Christ's sufferings and encouraging us to consider it an honor to suffer for His sake.

'After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10

There is a community aspect to suffering, and Jesus urges us to show compassion and support to fellow sufferers, mirroring the support followers of Christ showed to the apostle Paul during his imprisonment. Through persecutions, trials, and tribulations, we are to celebrate the joy and strength derived from knowing that, despite earthly losses, we possess a better and enduring heavenly treasure.

"And you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:1-10

Our assurance, based on the promises of Scripture and the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, empowers us to endure and face trials with hope and confidence. The last thing any one of us should do is to persecute other believers. We should not consider other believers as being our enemies, for Jesus suffered and died for all of us, and He loves us all the same.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:2-5

Suffering and tribulation are integral to the Christian journey, refining us, deepening our reliance on God, and orienting our hearts toward our eternal home. It calls for endurance, faith, and joy amid trials, with the assurance of God's unchanging goodness and the glorious future that awaits us here now and in heaven.

"For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:3

The religious leaders of Jesus Day accused Him of having a demon. Can you imagine?

"Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?”
John 10:20

Jesus was accused of being in cahoots with demons. I am sorry, but I can’t even imagine anyone accusing Jesus of having a demon.

"The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not rightly say that You are a Samaritan, and You have a demon? Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; on the contrary, I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.” John 8:48-49

Jesus must have said, “FEAR NOT!” a million times.

"But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people." Luke 6:35

They accused the SON OF GOD of being a demon. What do you think they will say about you?

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you." Luke 6:27-28

Jesus warned us, THE WORLD WILL HATE YOU BECAUSE OF ME.

"The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets as well; and yet You say, ‘If anyone follows My word, he will never taste of death.’" John 8:52

The religious people of Jesus day were so concerned about Him, so offended by His teachings, they killed Him. They accused Jesus, the Son of the living God of working for satan. God ordained Jesus to suffer on our behalf, and He did. We are to love like Jesus and love our enemies. We are supposed to serve our enemies in Love, not preach against them.

"The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill You?” John 7:20

They believed that Jesus had a demon so much so, that they had Him murdered. An innocent man was murdered, yet did not defend Himself. He allowed God’s Grace to defend him.

"but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed." 1 Peter 4:13

The Pharisees accused Jesus of having a demon.

"Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:19-21

"But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:34-35

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you." Luke 6:27-28

Trials, tribulations, sufferings, and God’s Glory.

“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," Matthew 5:43-44

Take up the dying body of Jesus. Take up His full life, including His endurance, patience, and working all the way to love.

"always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." 2 Corinthians 4:10

God has ordained entering into His Kingdom through tribulations, sufferings, and afflictions.

"What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?" Romans 3:3

God has ordained that we would only enter His Kingdom through suffering: denying self, laying down our life, picking up the cross, and following Jesus as we share in His sufferings to the delight and glory of the Father.

"But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming companions with those who were so treated." Hebrews 10:32-33

God gave us the model to follow. To avoid fraud, corruption, and unbelief from flowing through the church, God has APPOINTED AND EQUIPPED ELDERS in every church. No elders, no church.

"When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed." Acts 14:23

The Apostle Paul suffered just like Jesus did. Paul taught a great deal about suffering trials and tribulations and why believers are to take on the sufferings of Christ.

"but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed." 1 Peter 4:13

By Grace, we are called to remain steady in perseverance until Jesus has worked His patience, kindness, and endurance in us and through us through sufferings and afflictions.

"But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters…. And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ." Matthew 23:8

By Grace, and like our Jesus, we are called to receive and follow Christ’s meekness, gentleness, and mercy as we persevere in His strength and His might as we endure all kinds of trials, tribulations, sufferings, slander, character assassination, and horrible persecutions.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12

Tribulations are used by the Holy Spirit to work in us the life of Jesus. When we love our enemies, those people who persecute us, Jesus works HIS LOVE and PATIENCE in us so that we can love our enemies. When people hurt us, our response is to love them more. Jesus did. If you can't love your enemy, what does that say about you?

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Romans 5:1-5

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