Even as a leader of TNT I have troubles with this... Of course it doesn't really show in the group itself because of the love I have for everyone in the group. I know we all have trouble with this because it is human nature to have some feelings of "dislike" towards another person. But here's the thing. Our human nature is sinful. We are naturally sinners. Let go of human nature and live by the Spirit! The Spirit is of the next world while our human nature is of this world. Live for the world to come friends.
Jesus called us to do this very thing as followers of Him.
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold form them your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31 NIV
Jesus did this through out His whole time on this earth. Even though He lived as we do now, He set an example for us to follow. He lived a blameless life from the time He was born to the time He ascended into heaven. He also provided us with a contrast of the two lives (life by the Spirit and life by sin) in the same chapter of Luke.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and to lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. Luke 6:32-35
Jesus did the most remarkable act of loving an enemy when He was up on the cross... He forgave the men who crucified Him... Honestly I don't know if I can ever live up to that by myself but I know that with the Spirit any of us could do it. We can love our enemies even the ones who threaten us with terrible things...
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 NIV
We sometimes lose sight of the cross. We forget sometimes what happened before Jesus was on the cross to lead up to Him being crucified. He loved the teachers of law who were against Him through His whole ministry. We need to keep sight of these things and live in the Spirit in order to follow in His footsteps and to take up our cross.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45
Pray on this my brothers and sisters, for you as well as for me. Remember the cross!
Grace be with all of you
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