DCLM Higher Everyday 10 February 2024 — Lecture On Enemy Love
DCLM Higher Everyday 10 February 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Lecture On Enemy Love
Topic: Lecture On Enemy Love
Text: Luke 6:27-36
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Key Verse: “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).
Message
Christ’s teaching on love is one major thing that sets Christianity apart from many other religions. We are reminded of the story of Nicky Cruz, a gangster and drug-dealer filled with anger and resentment against society. Nicky had enclosed his mind within a thick wall of hatred for God and anything decent. Then he came across David Wilkerson, a gospel preacher whose love for God and for the worst of sinners gradually wore out his defenses. Eventually, Nicky Cruz became born again and a preacher of the gospel. Love won at last.
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 9 February 2024 – Paul’s Turning Point
Satan is the only enemy a real believer has; there are however people who hate believers because of their faith. Christ’s teaching on love refers to the believer’s gracious reaction to all such enemies. Love melts the hardest of hearts. The blacksmith’s fire causes the hot iron to yield to whatever shape he chooses, in the same way love conquers hatred and ultimately turns enemies into friends. Salvation and sanctification through grace equip the believer to love the unlovable. Both experiences can be yours today through faith in Christ’s atoning blood.
Quote: Love melts the hardest of hearts.
Challenge: Strive to make your love stronger than the enemy’s hatred.
Prayer for today: Lord, fill me with the all-conquering love today.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
