WHEN LOVING IS HARD

 

WHEN LOVING IS HARD

(Luke 22:63-65; 23:32-38; Matt.5:44)

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INTRODUCTION:

Bible says, “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.”

It’s hard to have enemies, isn’t it? But it’s harder to love them, right? Also, it’s hard when your friends turned to be your enemies. There was a time in my life where our friends and I decided to build a business. Our eagerness in business made our hearts did everything to make things happened according to our plan. To make it short, we failed and we were drowned in debt. That was the start of misunderstanding and fighting. We ended up trying not to see each other and each one faced our own struggles financially, emotionally and legally. Out of seven members, two or three of us only faced the tremendous debt. I remember asking God why He didn’t open my eyes to see the consequence of that decision. I was afraid to face the debtors and didn’t know what to do. That was the time I cried to the Lord and ask for guidance. My eyes were swollen because of crying. That was the time I surrendered everything to the Lord. Thankfully the next day, I had the courage to face the problems and I started writing down the possibility to solve a more than a million debt. I faced the angry faces of different people whom I talked to, the legal aspect, talking to peace process in a certain barangay and many more. So, with this, I understand the difficulty of loving your enemies.

 

In our lesson titled “WHEN LOVING IS HARD,” I know each one of us can relate. This talks about loving your enemies. Yes, it’s hard LOVING YOUR ENEMIES.

 

LESSON POINTS:

1.   WHEN YOUR PATIENCE IS PUT TO TEST

 

When was the time your patience was tested? When somebody tells something against us, the tendency to keep quiet is far for us to do. Our natural reaction is to answer back and defend ourselves. Jesus did

And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. ⁶⁴ And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? ⁶⁵ And many other things blasphemously spake they against him (Luke 22:63:65)

Honestly, when I read this bible passage, I cried for the experience God had with people. I feel angry for those people who did bad to the Messiah. This makes me think to this question, “Do you have many reasons not to forgive?” Naturally for us, forgiving our enemies is a big deal. Our old nature telling us not to forgive because we are in pain. Imagine they made the Lord Jesus blindfolded, struck Him on the face, spoke blasphemous words against Him and they disrespected Him; that was so hard but He was in silent and did nothing against them. Instead, He said in Luke 23:34.

 

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

 

When it’s hard for us to forgive, look unto Jesus. He is the great example of forgiving the unforgivable.

 

 

2.   WHEN KINDNESS IS HARD TO SHOW

When a hostile mob seized Jesus and took Him to the High Priest, “the men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him (Luke 22:63). The abuse continued all the way through His sham trials and execution. Jesus didn’t merely endure it. When Roman soldiers crucified Him, like mentioned earlier, He prayed for their forgiveness.

Honestly, what we wish for the people who hurt us badly? For them to be in good shape and have an abundant life? We can do that; our old nature would not do that; we would wish for their misfortunes.  But we are Christians; we are a new creature (2 Cor.5:17) God wants us to be like Jesus.

 

 

We may not encounter a literal enemy who’s trying to kill us. But everyone knows what it’s like to endure ridicule and scorn. Our natural reaction is to respond in anger. Jesus raised the bar: “pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

 

CONCLUSION:

Truly, God can make the impossible to possible. I have no capacity to pay the debt that we had; God works in a mysterious way. As time passed by and continue pleasing and serving the Lord, by His grace He makes me at peace to people especially to our debtors. PRAISE GOD. This verse in Proverbs 16:7 is a great reminder.

When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.