Thoughts inspired by Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborand hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

If we live in the flesh & rely on our own strength, it’s exhausting to love people who aren’t walking with The Lord. Why? …because they aren’t loving us back with the same type of love. If we live by the Spirit & rely on God’s strength, however, we are able to love the “unloveable” and will be energized by the way His supernatural love flows through us!

Father, help me to deeply love others who aren’t walking with You. Help me to love them like You love them– relentlessly & unconditionally. Help me to PRAY for those who persecute me, by transforming my heart into one full of compassion, grace, & mercy– create in me a heart like Yours. I want and need to forgive others so that I too can live in the continual forgiveness of Christ (Matthew 5: 14-15).

As believers who have been saved by His amazing grace,  it’s our calling & privilege to love those around us, because it is evidence that we are His children. In John 13:34-45. Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

No matter where you are, what you’re doing, or who you encounter, spread the love of Jesus today! Cheers & prayers, Britt