Scripture

Luke 6:27-31 CEB

But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.

Consider

Intellectually, we may be sold on the idea that forgiveness is good medicine for us and for our troubled relationships. But requiring that we love and bless our enemies may seem a little too much for God to ask. It should be enough that we stop gossiping and wishing evil on those who abuse and hate us. Must we also love them? bless them? pray for God’s kindness on them?

According to Jesus, the answer is yes.

The kind of love Jesus talks about does not arise from our trying to overlook our bitter feelings or put out of mind the other person’s offenses against us. This kingdom love begins with remembering God’s love for us. When we understand the depth of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice for us—when we let that penetrate our hearts and minds—it changes us. God’s Spirit takes up residence within us and begins to miraculously grow spiritual fruit in us, including love, joy, kindness…all the qualities we need to love and bless and pray for our enemies, just as Jesus did.

Loving our offenders and abusers is nothing short of supernatural. We can’t get there on our own. But as we grow in our love for God, his Spirit grows in us the love we need to love and serve one another, even our enemies. With God’s reassurance and peace guarding our hearts and minds, we can risk opening ourselves to a more balanced perception of those people who have offended us. Instead of seeing only their negative and hurtful qualities, love helps us refocus our attention and notice whatever is right and good in them as well:

From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)

Pray

Good Father, I am such a mixed bag of emotions and behaviors and desires, yet you choose to love me extravagantly and without conditions. Teach me how to see people—especially those who have hurt me—in a more balanced way and to accept them as they are. Give me the desire to serve and pray for them and to share with them the very same love you lavish on me.

Reflect

Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 4:9-10

Ponder

Why is love essential in true forgiveness?