September 23rd

You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45a

The world tells us to love those who love you and do good to those who do good to you. This is not the way Christ taught us to act towards others in the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount lifestyle calls us to a much deeper Christ like love. This is the best way to prepare ourselves for the future of testing and trials. Christ’s love allows us to rise above our circumstances and the immediate temptations to indulge in the pleasures of our flesh for retaliation and revenge. These will only produce more harsh circumstances for us to endure.

When we choose to hate instead of love, anger, bitterness and unforgiveness rule in our hearts. The love of Christ empowers us to have a pure heart towards the actions of our enemies and return good for evil and love for hate.

Hate imprisons us but love frees us. Our enemies want to put us in bondage, but it is only ourselves that can choose to be free. In choosing the mind of Christ, we are becoming more like the sons of our Father in heaven.