Love your enemies, bless them that curse you - say WHAT?

Pray for those who hurt you and are hateful toward you. (paraphrase Matthew 5:44) That's a toughie, correct?

In our relationships with one another, all manner of evil goes on. Even though craziness may be all around us, and we may even be part of the crazy, believers know that God has shown us "a more excellent way" (from 1 Corinthians 12:31, prelude to chapter 13).

As we keep the focus on prayer in every area of our lives, I will share one of my favorite passages, which is found in Matthew 5:43-48, Amplified Bible:

43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;

44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45 To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?

47 And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that?

48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I love the Amplified Bible's augmentation of the last verse. So many of us stumble over the English definition of "perfect" (without flaw). Seasoned Bible students have done the research into the original languages which give us a more accurate meaning. While we KNOW God IS perfect - we may now understand more fully that our characters (thus, our behaviors) are maturing and "growing up" into completeness - by the power of God (the indwelling Holy Spirit present in us).

"Prayer is the key that unlocks the door to forgiveness."




from: https://www.facebook.com/theboazministries