Delivering a Message of Love

But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.

Luke 6:27 (NLT)

While a woman in her fifties was shopping, a young man approached her and threatened her with a weapon. He stole everything she had on her, even her wedding ring. After the robbery, the woman went to the police station to file a report. Three days later, the police summoned her to identify the suspect. She recognized him immediately upon his arrival. She didn't even need to go into a separate room where her attacker couldn't see her.

Instead of pressing charges against the young man for his malicious act, the woman chose to ask him to return her important belongings, letting him keep the money, and asked the police officer to let him go. When asked about the reasons for her decision, she simply replied that loving one's enemy means not only forgiving their wrongdoings but also providing for their needs. This message touched the police officers. The young man left in tears, consumed by guilt.

Loving your enemy is sometimes the very act that will convince them of their error. We often think that the best way to bring someone to repentance is to preach the Gospel to them. Sometimes, it is a good deed on our part that constitutes the message they need to hear. When you do good to someone who hates you, you convey a message that they will not soon forget, even if they don't want to admit it. Love is the way to treat your enemy with respect and compassion. That is exactly what Jesus did.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.