Scripture:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:43–44
Today’s Devotional
It’s easy to love people who are kind to us.
But when someone criticizes, misunderstands, or mistreats us, love suddenly feels impossible. That’s exactly where Jesus calls us to shine the brightest.
When He said, “Love your enemies,” He wasn’t offering a suggestion—He was revealing the heart of God.
True love isn’t proven in comfort; it’s proven in conflict.
It’s the love that prays for the one who hurt you, forgives before an apology comes, and chooses compassion over retaliation.
Loving difficult people doesn’t excuse their actions—it reflects God’s mercy in ours.
We love not because they deserve it, but because Jesus loved us first when we didn’t deserve it either.
That kind of love changes hearts—including our own.
Reflect & Pray
Reflect:
Who in your life is hard to love right now?
How might prayer shift your heart toward that person?
Pray:
Father, help me love like You love.
Teach me to pray for those who have hurt me, and to forgive as You forgave.
Fill my heart with compassion that overcomes resentment. Amen.
Today’s Insight
Jesus’ command in Matthew 5 was radical in His time—and still is today.
While the world says, “Protect yourself,” Jesus says, “Bless those who curse you.”
This kind of love doesn’t come from human willpower; it flows from the Spirit within us.
When we choose to love those who oppose us, we become living reflections of Christ—the One who loved His enemies all the way to the cross.
