Good morning! How are we faithing? Loving your enemy as yourself is a difficult thing to grasp. It's easy when we are not directly affected. What do I mean? Someone breaks into my shed and steals my tools or lawn mower ticks me off and If I catch him I probably would slap the taste out of his mouth. Am I justified? In the eyes of the law, sure but have I just disobeyed Jesus? Do I stand by and let the thief get away with his sin against me? I believe it is more of an attitude. Justice must be served in a polite society but how far does one go? Jesus told us to be merciful. Jesus told us to treat others the way we want to be treated. Jesus said to even bless those that treat you like dirt. Justice is proper and justice must be served but are you seeking vengeance or justice? Which is wiser, justice with mercy or justice for vengeance? What about a mean hateful neighbor that constantly wreaks havoc. I think Jesus is telling us to forgive quickly without any malice. Hard when we are being stepped on but important to seek Jesus in everything we do. Read this and run some scenarios in your head to apply what Jesus is teaching here.    

Luk 6:27-36  “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.   Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.   And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.  “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.   And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.   And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.   Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your mercy and justice. Thank you for teaching us how to behave. Lord, forgive us when we fail. Lord, we lift those who are hurting today and scared of what is before them. Comfort them. We lift those who sin against us so you can reveal yourself. In Jesus name, amen