“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” –Luke 6:27-28 NIV
When was the last time you showed love to your enemies, did good to people who hate you, spoke blessings over someone who cursed you, and prayed for that person who mistreated you?
It’s a tall order and difficult to do but the Good Lord our God requires this of all of His children—including me and you. This lesson is one that God is still teaching me and I’m far from perfect. But I do realize that the first step in learning how to love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you is to learn how to forgive. Helping people who truly harmed us is not easy at all, yet God requires it. We must remember that God created all humankind and He loves each one of us equally. He treats us as if we’re each the only person on Earth though there are billions of people populating this planet who need Him. God is dedicated and personally cares for us.
The people who hurt us are those whom God also loves passionately. The Bible says in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV): “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” This means that God knows all. He can see the effect of our daily decisions decades and even centuries into the future. Only God knows why He requires a great level of forgiveness and mercy toward others, and we may not understand. But we know we can trust Him and follow His directions.
At times, we’re angry, bitter, hurt, in pain, maybe even devastated by the trauma caused by another person. Worse yet, the people who hurt us might not even be sorry! But God requires us to freely forgive others as He’s forgiven us, even if that person never apologizes. We can forgive our enemies and love them like Jesus loves us but we still need to draw healthy boundaries to protect ourselves. God doesn’t expect anyone to stay in an unhealthy and abusive situation.
The song lyrics to “Forgiveness” by Matthew West state that when you forgive people, then all of the bitterness you experienced because of their negative actions or words will be cleared. Living with unforgiveness is like living as a prisoner in a dark and uncomfortable jail cell. But the act of mercy can set you free. West’s song reminds us that there is no end to the power of forgiveness! It not only sets us free; it helps people see the love of God through us. It’s a true lesson of God’s grace.
There’s a powerful, heart-wrenching yet hope-giving real-life story behind the song about forgiveness by West: A woman’s daughter was killed when returning home from the beach with her best friend when their car was hit by a drunk driver. The mother said that while the drunk driver went to jail, she felt like she was in the prisoner too because of the unforgiveness and hatred she harbored in her heart against him. But eventually, she reached out to the young man in prison who killed her daughter and said she forgave him. It felt impossible to do at first but she followed through and so many good things came out of her act of forgiveness: her family members reached out and forgave him too so much so that the drunk driver became like a member of their family. They even went to court on his behalf and the judge cut his prison sentence in half so he wouldn’t have to be there for 22 years. Listen to the song here.
Forgiveness often feels impossible to do, but it’s always worth it. Thankfully, we can ask God to help us forgive today and every day, for the rest of our lives. When we do this we will be set free. We’ll live lighter when our burden of unforgiveness is lifted, knowing that God works all things out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and His wisdom is beyond what we can see. Trusting God and doing what He calls us to do is always a win-win situation, one that leaves us feeling closer to God and free from the weight of this world.
Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for the power of forgiveness. Help us to forgive others freely just like You forgave us. Set us free from the prison of unforgiveness and let Your light and love shine through us. May our acts of mercy teach people about You and how Your mercies are new every morning. Thank You, Jesus, for extending forgiveness to us and not giving up on us. Help us to be more like You. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©SWN
Alexis A. Goring is an author, blogger, editor, photographer, trained journalist, and total foodie. She specializes in Contemporary Christian Romance (fiction) and devotionals (nonfiction). Her first devotional book, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God, was published in April 2020. Alexis hopes that her life’s work will lead people to Jesus Christ and teach them about the God who loves humankind with all of His heart. When she’s not sharing words that inspire and encourage the heart, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up something tasty, or in a café or restaurant, either dining solo or sharing a meal with loved ones. Connect with Alexis online via her website (https://alexisagoring.