Read: Luke 6:27-36 NLT – Love for Enemies – “But to you who – Bible Gateway
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.” Luke 6:27 NLT
The word ‘love’ is being tossed around so flippantly in our day that it is losing its meaning. Culturally and politically, it is used to ensure a safe place where love brings everyone together across all lines of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, race, and gender. This indeed works until it is found out that one does not agree with certain issues, then they are ostracized for their opinions or beliefs. What was to bring people is now separating them causing division. Love only works for some people when it is their definition of love, and you agree with them. The banished ones still strive to love those now disassociating with them, but it is to no avail.
You may have been or are now at the receiving end of such hostility for your opinions and your belief in Scripture. It is during these times that we look again to the Bible at some references of love. The ultimate definition of love is to sacrifice your life for others. “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Ro.5:8 nlt) The God of heaven sacrificed His Son Jesus, who willingly went to the cross for us defining the true meaning of love.
Again, “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. We love each other because he loved us first.” (1Jn.4:10, 19 nlt) God first loved us enabling us to love Him and others. We are incapable of loving others outside of Christ. Which means we can love those who hate us, and look down on us, or as Jesus would say ‘we could love our enemies.’ Don’t be fooled by the world’s shallow definition of love. Give our enemies the opportunity to experience the true love of God through our actions towards them despite their feelings towards us.
Word for the Soul 