“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
When we sum up the Bible, it will be all about one thing— love. Love is the most powerful motivator in the history of time. It’s a four-letter word that speaks volumes. It is not a feeling, but it changes a person from the inside out. Love is a commitment. Jesus proved that when He died on the cross. He didn’t base His love according to the number of our sins. Instead, He demonstrated love regardless of whether we deserve it or not.
The same way that we are called to extend that kind of love to our enemies. When the Bible says enemies, it means the people who dislike us, those who wish us harm, or those who have hurt us in certain ways. Our natural reaction is to hate them or treat them like they treated us. But according to the Scripture, we must treat them the way we want to be treated.
Pray to be accepting
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7
Jesus accepted our past and all our mistakes. But that doesn’t mean that He tolerated our wrongdoings. He loved us the same even if we sinned against Him. This means that we must learn how to accept people for who they are and who they can be, not what they have done to us. Our duty is to love them, and Jesus takes care of the transformation part.
Lord Jesus, please help me love people unconditionally by accepting who they are regardless of whether they have hurt me. However, this doesn’t mean I approve of what they did wrong. It just means that I love You too much to love the people You have forgiven. I pray that I will learn to accept and love them more, just as You have done to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pray to be humble
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” Philippians 2:3
Pride is our downfall as humans. Our selfishness is what hinders us from forgiving people. And because of our love for ourselves, we fail to put others before us. We feel as if we are the center of the universe, and we are the only ones who need forgiveness. In reality, we are also sinners who need the same forgiveness from the most selfless human who ever lived, Jesus. He demonstrated a love that is sacrificial and unconditional. He humbled Himself before the Father so that He could save us.
God, I am sorry for being self-centered. I always put myself above everything, not realizing that I gain nothing from it. Forgive me for not humbling myself. I admit that I am also a sinner who needs Your forgiveness. Please change my heart. Help me to be selfless in every way because that’s how You lived, and that’s how You would want me to live. Thank You for Your unconditional love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pray to extend grace
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:9-11
Sometimes, we can’t even begin to think how much God loves us. It’s so surreal, yet so personal. It’s something we don’t deserve, yet He gave otherwise because He knew that we needed a Savior. He gave His Son so we could spend eternity with Him. Meanwhile, Jesus Christ died on the cross for all kinds of people, regardless of whether they love Him back or not. That’s grace.
Father God in Heaven, I thank You that You love me so much to give Your Son to pay the penalty for my sins. Please help me demonstrate that kind of love towards the imperfect people in my life because that’s what Jesus has done for me. Help me be a source of grace to the people around me, so they will know that this kind of love is from You. I praise and honor You. In Jesus’ name, amen.