To this you were called!

"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

~ We are to love our enemies, and Romans 12:9 adds: Love must be sincere! God doesn't just want us to behave toward other people. He wants us to be sincere.

~ Do good to those who hate us. Humble ourselves and find ways to serve them.

~ Bless those who curse us. Only speak well of them. Turn negative words into positives.

~ Pray for those who mistreat us. Yes, pray!

I learned today that this is our calling. It's right there in 1 Peter 3:8-9.

"...live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called."

We are called to treat our enemies with love, goodness, blessing and prayer. They are not just something to put up with or persevere. They are our calling! Lord, give me the strength to respond in obedience to your Word.

(*Gleaned from Jesus, One and Only by Beth Moore.)