Love Thy Enemies

These words of apostle Paul in his letters for the Christians in Rome reflect what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Jesus corrects the people’s misinterpretations of the Old Testament about how to deal with his or her enemy.

Love plays a very important role in how we will deal with the surrounding people, especially with forgiveness. Paul reminded the believers in Rome to let their love be genuine, to abhor evil, and instead, to hold fast to what is good (v. 9). It is also said that love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends (Proverbs 17:9).

I know it is easy to say all these that to do them. We can always ask God to heal our hearts from the pain and the offense other people have caused us. We can ask God to help us love and forgive those who persecuted us and to speak blessings to them. It is only God who can heal the wounds of our heart.