Matthew 5:44-45 (KJV) “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; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
When Jesus came, His people rejected him (John 1:11) yet He loved them. When He was to face death by the cross, His feelings were against it (Matthew 26:39) but love compelled Him (John 3:16). Since then, glory has been pouring unto God from men because of what He did.
You may choose to reciprocate goodwill, even the Pharisees did the same. You may choose to withhold love because the intended recipient is undeserving, but if your choice is to cause men to glorify God, you must learn to love even when you don’t feel like it.
This kind of love goes beyond feelings, it is continuing in acts of kindness towards people irrespective of their attitude and your own feeling towards them. If they hurt you, you will feel hurt, but because of the love of God in you, the hurt will not produce a negative response from you. This kind of love is one of the easiest ways to withness to hardened unbelievers.
This is how Apostle Peter puts it, “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12 NIV.
If you want believers and unbelievers alike to always glorify God because of you, you must learn how to love beyond feelings. The power of love is purest when the recipient is undeserving. Remember that the ultimate goal is to glorify God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to lead a life that will always bring you glory. Amen!
—Dr. Emmanuel James
Bible In One Year: Isaiah 23-28 (In Devotional Audio)
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