About your enemies and persecutors

About your enemies and persecutors

Jesus said,

"You have heard that it was said,

 ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'  

But I tell you: 

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..." 

                                                                                         Matthew 5:43,44.

What Jesus is saying here can be a daunting task, especially if you are under persecution. When I read this portion of scripture. I think of those Christians around the world that have had to leave their homes, towns and villages. Even their families because they believe in Jesus. 

Some believers are forced into refugee and internal displacement camps because of the persecution they are enduring.

Yet to them and indeed all true believers in Christ Jesus, Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

The late American civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King jr. . A man who knew what persecution was said,

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jesus while hanging on the cross said,

“Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."...Luke 23:34

Jesus knew what persecution was and yet as He was hanging on the cross, He asked God the Father to forgive to forgive his persecutors. The men that had nailed Him to the cross.

The apostle John wrote,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." 1 John 3:16.

Do you love your enemies? Do you pray for those who persecute you?

Please think about it.