What Jesus Did! 'What to Do with Enemies?' — Luke 6:27

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Your Support Matters!

Our materials help people live for Jesus every day thanks to generous readers like you.

 Donate Now
[Jesus said,] "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you."
— Luke 6:27 NLT

Key Thought

Can you think of anything more convicting than these words of Jesus? The goal of a Christian is to be like the Master. That means we are redemptive in all that we do. The goal is clear with our enemies; we are to love them and to do good to them. The question for us is not what our goal or our example is. The question is whether or not we have the courage and the commitment to listen to Jesus and follow his teaching.

Today's Prayer

Father, I confess that doing good to and loving my enemy is not something I enjoy doing or find easy. Please use your Holy Spirit to transform me and empower me to be more like your Son as I deal with my enemies. Give me the wisdom to know how to stand for righteousness and truth, to oppose evil and those who promote it, and not to become corrupted by the power of hate. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 23:32-38
  • Acts 7:54-60
  • 1 Peter 1:21-25

Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 20:22
"Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God of Preservation' (Acts 7:11-16)
"[As Stephen continued his defense, he pointed to God's faithfulness through Joseph:] "But a famine came upon Egypt and Canaan. There was great misery,..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'To Your Sacred Home' (Ex. 15:13)
"[Who is like you O LORD?] With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 19:38-39
"Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's..."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:27 NLT — [Jesus said,] "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!