RESPOND ONLY IN LOVE BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).
From the verse above, it’s clear that there’ll always be those who might dislike you, persecute you, and despise you; but you’re only permitted to respond to them in love. The actions or attitude of such people should never provoke you to act contrary to your true nature, which is love. God is love, and anyone who loves is of God, and knows God.
The summation of God’s character is love; we’re therefore to emulate Him by walking in love. Ephesians 5:2 (AMPC) admonishes us to “…walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.” 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
In our journey of faith, there’ll always be those who’ll test us; 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’re kind, loving, and helpful to you, appreciate them and praise God for them; if they’re otherwise, love them nonetheless.
If someone accuses you falsely, for example, or you’re lied against, don’t get upset and try to justify your innocence to the point of acting in a manner that’s not beffitng to righteouness. Rather, keep walking in love. Love is a force—the greatest power in the universe—and it’ll always win.
Our love-walk is the primary proof that we love the Lord, and it speaks of our oneness and like-mindedness with Him. Romans 5:5 says the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit; that means you have the capacity to love as He does. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). What a way to distinguish ourselves from the rest of the world!
PRAYER
Dear Father, you’ve given me the ability to love like you, and I’m so grateful! You’ve granted me an understanding of the extraordinary dimensions of your love; that love radiates through me profusely to others! Thank you for making me the dispenser of your goodness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Luke 6:27-35 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not [to take thy] coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.
Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 & Isaiah 61-63
2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Hebrews 7:1-10 & Ezekiel 10-11
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