Loving Difficult People

“‘But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.'” Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

Have you ever been mistreated or hated? Did it make you want to retaliate? That is a natural reaction. Jesus modeled how every believer should respond to difficult people. We are to love our enemies. We are to benefit difficult people by doing good to them, blessing them, and praying for them. The reality is that we cannot always control how others treat us, but we can control how we respond to them.

• “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV)
• “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” Luke 23:34 (NIV)

Jesus set the example for us to follow. Jesus also gives us the power to treat others based on Jesus’ treatment of us. We do not deserve His love, yet He loves us unconditionally. We do not deserve His goodness, yet He is so good to us. We do not deserve His blessings, yet He showers us with one blessing after another. Jesus even intercedes for us. That is so much more than we deserve. The word “grace” comes to mind doesn’t it?

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor