“…I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer” Matthew 5:44 MSG
From the verse above, it’s clear that there’ll always be those who might hate us, persecute us, and despise us; but we’re only permitted to respond to them in love. The actions or attitudes of such people should never provoke you to compromise. Life is a script, and you’re the one in focus; you have to choose to play your part—the love-part.
In your journey of faith, everyone who relates with you is placed there by God for your benefit; whether they’re helping you, or they’re against you, doesn’t make any difference! It doesn’t stop God’s plan of promoting you. If they are kind, loving, and helpful to you, appreciate them and praise God for them; if they’re otherwise, love them all the same.
If someone accuses you falsely, for example, don’t get upset and try to justify your innocence to the point of acting in a manner that’s unbecoming for a Christian. Leave it to the Lord; He’s the righteous Judge, and will surely vindicate you. Just keep loving; that’s your role in the script. You’re born of God; His love has been shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit who lives in you (Romans 5:5 KJV). That means you have the capacity to love as He does.
He said, “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other” (John 13:35 MSG). What a way to tell us from the rest of the world! Our love-walk is the primary proof that we love the Lord, and have passed from death unto life. Our ability to still put up a loving smile when others ride roughshod over us, pour invectives on us or persecute us, shows that indeed, we dwell in Him and are walking in the light, as He is in the light.
