How to Love Your Enemies and Pray for Them

The love of Christ is so great it can even save His enemies. God’s love reaches out to the whole world and continues through the entire length of our lives. His love is so deep, it can reach you in discouragement and depression. He even reached Lazarus after he had been in His grave four days. This is the Savior’s love.

God is Love

The Bible tells us that if a person knows nothing about love, they can’t know God, because God is love. Jesus displayed His love for His enemies as He was dying. While Jesus was on the cross, He was praying for those who placed the nails in His hands and feet. Is there anyone else who could love like this?

Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing” Luke 23:34. Jesus was praying for the Roman politicians and soldiers who were putting Him to death. God responded to this prayer when the soldiers who witnessed the crucifixion admitted the truth by saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Matthew 27:54

Do You Offer Love When Offended?

What is your first reaction when you are wronged? Do you plan revenge or show anger? Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:44, “…love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Many people try to get even and punish people who wrong them. Jesus tells us not to do this. If you pray for your enemies, you can overcome evil with good. When we follow Jesus’ commands, we show that He is Lord over our life. We must trust in the Holy Spirit to help us show love to our enemies.

Have You Forgiven Past Wrongs?

Sometimes we hold grudges, even after a person dies. Matthew 5:44-46 says, “…love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven… If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?” We are to separate ourselves from sinful behavior and live holy lives. We should live our lives devoted to God’s desires rather than our own. That means we should forgive enemies of the past as well as in those of the present.

Being a Follower of Jesus

Why Would You Want to Follow Someone?

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.” Matthew 10:24

Our almighty God, in the form of a human servant, came to reach out to you, me, and all people. We can be followers of Jesus. Remember, there has never been another person like Jesus. He leads us straight into the presence of our heavenly Father.

Jesus is perfect in His love for others, His power over evil, His compassion for people and His hatred of sin. His understanding is endless, and His joy is deep. He drew all kinds of people to Himself when He lived on earth. His presence was like a magnet to those who needed hope. He is everything good, and people really wanted to be around Him. He is truly one of a kind, full of hope, love, trust and forgiveness.

We Become Like the One We Think About, Care For, and Trust

“But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:21

Silly little ducks. Have you watched them before? They all follow the mother without even thinking about where she is going. They make a line behind her - keeping her pace as best they can. For some reason I keep thinking of them as the perfect example of a disciple.

They never stop to consider anything except how important it is to keep their mother in their sight. They feel lost without her, they become so worried if they cannot find her. Yet, they are also very content when their eyes are set on her. They are ‘practicing the truth’ by watching her walk, swim, eat, and then doing the same. We have so very much to learn. We are like these ducklings. Yet, we have a perfectly caring leader.

We Are Like Him?

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness….” Genesis 1:26

Try to realize that we ARE made in God’s image. We long for Him. We can know Him better and better; We were created to follow after Him. It is where we flourish, grow, live and find our true pleasure. When we follow Jesus, we become His disciples.

How To Share Your Faith With Your Friends

My little daughter’s friend was playing at our home one day. Suddenly, I shouted “no!” and she burst into tears. Why? She was about to put a fork into a nearby electrical outlet. I hated to upset her, but her little life was too precious to risk, and her parents trusted me to protect her.

Are your friends precious to you? Do you know that God holds us responsible for one another? He tells us, “If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths.” (Ezekiel 3:18)If worries are keeping you from sharing your faith with your friends, these simple ideas can help overcome those fears:

Be Prepared

Think about how a discussion might go. You can’t expect to agree on everything, can you? A former U.S. President said, “If two men agree on everything, you may be sure that one of them is doing the thinking.” Don't be afraid to disagree sometimes, especially about important things. Be ready to share hope with others. (1 Peter 3:15) God tells us to make a stand, “having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace;” (Ephesians 6:15). Valuing friends means even more than this…

Be Compelling

It is good to memorize a gospel presentation, so that you include all the main points. But don't just repeat the words. Tell your friend that this news is too good to keep to yourself. Jesus said, “go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23). Don’t give up easily - and don’t be afraid to let your urgency show.

Be Creative

A standard approach may help with a stranger. But if you know someone well, share in a way that will relate best to them. “And have mercy on those who are wavering—save them by snatching them out of the fire; but on others have mercy with fear—hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23). Starting gently works best for some, while a warning about judgment works better for others.

Sharing Jesus with your friends can bring discomfort for a moment. But don’t let it keep you from telling them about God's love for them. Imagine the joy of seeing them embrace Jesus - or the regret of knowing you kept your hope a secret, locked behind silent lips.

Getting to Know Jesus

“Know the Lord” is a simple way to describe faith in Jesus. But even after you “know Him” in that way, do you really feel like you “KNOW” Jesus? When you imagine your first meeting with Him in heaven, is it a reunion with a beloved and familiar friend? Or more like meeting a stranger you know lots of facts about? Here are three practical ways you can become more familiar with your Savior:

1. Find out what pleases the Lord - and really do it. (Ephesians 5:17, Romans 12:2)

Christians say we “follow Jesus” or that we “walk with the Lord.” But we don’t actually see Him walking with us. Does this make it harder to relate to Him? Yes, and no. There is more to knowing Him than reading about His life. Putting His commands into action is the next step. Jesus said, “The one who loves Me is the one who has My teaching and obeys it.” (John 14:21a), and, “If anyone will do what God wants, he will know if My teaching is from God, or if I am speaking of Myself.” (John 7:17)

2. Let the Bible guide your imagination.

What are your friends like? You might say, “Alexander is as bold as a lion.” “Amelia always rushes in like a flood.” When Jesus took on human form, He showed us what God is like (John 1:18). But even before He arrived, God started getting us ready for Him by picturing Him as the Seed of the Woman, our Rock, our Redeemer, the Righteous Branch. Jesus called Himself the Vine, the Bread of Life, the light of the World and the Good Shepherd. By calling Himself these things, what is God trying to say about Himself? He is guiding our worship and understanding of Him.

3. Make your prayers intimate and private.

What if a close friend could see a copy of your prayers? If that thought doesn’t bother you, your prayer life could probably be improved. Jesus said not to“babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.” (Matthew 6:7) He made it OK for us to freely and simply ask God for what we need. You don’t need memorized prayers or pretty words. He’s pleased when we’re bold enough to ask without shame, like an honored son or daughter. (Luke 11:5-13) God is so holy that it may be hard to be completely honest at first. But read Hebrews 4:13, 16 (above) and remember that nothing is ever out of His view. He loves you, He wants you to know Him, and will never stop feeling that way about you.