love enemies

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.  But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.  If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.  If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.  But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43‭-‬48 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.43-48.NLT

Who are my enemies? Those who seek my destruction, those who hate me, and speak ill of me, those who abuse me, those who use me.

Now, having such a basket full of wicked individuals, these are the ones to pour love on, not hot oil. How can I love them? By not speaking evil of them, by not thinking of myself as a victim. Rather, thinking of them as poor desperate souls who need salvation, and pray for them.

Love conquers a multitude of sin. 1 Peter 4:8. Amen!

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