Love Your Enemy…For Selfish Reasons

In Luke 6 Jesus says some things that are very challenging. If you have the idea that living as a follower of Jesus is not that much different than living like everyone else then you should read Luke 6. In just one example Jesus says this: 27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Jesus says to love your enemies. This is obviously different than what the world has to say. It isn’t easy to love your enemies. But what if you were convinced that loving your enemy was actually the best thing for you. Loving your enemy is actually the best thing you can do for you; right? If you look at this from a purely selfish motive, you will love your enemy. It is possible that if you love your enemy, your enemy may want to reconcile with you. If you love your enemy you put yourself in the best position to not have an enemy any longer. Of course, loving your enemy doesn’t guarantee your enemy will love you. But not loving your enemy pretty much guarantees that your enemy will never want to love you.

Also, as a follower of Jesus, I should not wish evil on any person. To do so, to not love, would actually be sinful on my part, which negatively affects my relationship to God. So why would I want to do that? Therefore, to love your enemy is really the only reasonable course of action. It is actually the best thing for you; even if you think of it in a selfish way.  Who is it that you need dot start loving today?

 

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