Read: Luke 6:27-49

By: Kylie Brooks

We may not be able to prevent other people from being our enemies, but we can prevent ourselves from being enemies toward others. – Warren Wiersbe

I wish that loving everyone was easy. I wish that I could say, with full confidence, that I loved my enemies. I try to be kind to others always, but if I’m honest, I still sometimes think things in my head that I know aren’t what God would want.

See, God loves everyone.

Everyone.

That’s hard for me to wrap my head around.

In Luke 6:35, it says that if you love your enemies and give to them without expecting repayment, “Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High.”

As Christians, we should all try to love everyone in the way that God does, even the people who seem the most unlovable.

Sometimes we will fall short of course, but we shouldn’t let those moments discourage us.

Also, we shouldn’t belittle others for their sins or their shortcomings,  because we have to recognize that we have all had our own shortcomings too! We should instead pray for them and be there for them.

Just think, some of the people who feel like our enemies, don’t know Jesus! For those who are not Christian, they may be dissuaded from God or feel hopeless.

In John 8:7, Jesus says, “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone…”

  God wants us to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to others, just as He is to us. He wants us to show love and mercy to even those who don’t deserve it.

We want to be forgiven for our sins, so we should not hold others missteps against them. As you finish your devotional time today, I’d encourage you to pray and ask God to help you to love like He does.

Father, thank you for loving each of us and thank you for forgiving us. We ask that you help us to love everyone the way that you do and to help us reach out to those struggling rather than make fun or judge. Amen.