Luke 6:27-28 (NASB) 
27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Job 31:29-30(NASB) 
29 “Have I rejoiced at the extinction of my enemy,
Or exulted when evil befell him?
30 “No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin
By asking for his life in a curse.

Jesus calls us to do things that seem to be really tough.  Love your enemy, bless those that curse you, pray for those that mistreat you.  Yet, He is not asking us to do anything that He hasn’t already done for us.  We were once His enemy, we behaved badly, we mistreated God.  Yet He loved us first; gave us mercy and grace through the life and work of Jesus.  

Job reflected on how to behave with his enemies as he defended himself against his accusers.  And yet, Job was just a man; imperfect and in desperate need of God’s mercy and grace too.

The world is so divisive these days.  It is easy to find that if you don’t agree with another, then you become the enemy.  Can you imagine what would happen if all Christians followed Jesus’ command in Luke, while at the same time holding firmly to our beliefs?

Heavenly Father, You have commanded us to follow You, hold firm to Your ways, and love those that hate, curse and mistreat us.  Forgive me when I fall short.  Help me to keep in mind how you treated me when I was your enemy and treat others that same way.  I pray in the name of Jesus, who loved me first.  Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,