“But I say unto you, Love your enemies bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
Matthew 5:44

As Christians, we are called to a lifestyle of love – unconditional love even towards enemies and unfriendly people.

Some years ago, I went to see a man in his office and although he knew I have arrived, he kept me waiting. He probably thought I would get angry and leave, but I waited patiently. Finally, after several hours, he came in to attend to me and met me smiling. He found it hard to believe. “You waited?” He asked and I responded “Yes sir.” Immediately, his previously unfriendly countenance towards me changed. Today, that ‘unfriendly’ man has a house in Redemption Camp. Responding with love to those who wrong you will confuse and win them over to your side.

Have people been hurting you with their words and actions? From now on, smile and do good to them. Is anyone persecuting you because you are a Christian? Why not pray for them to have an encounter with Christ, so they can change? When you respond with love to those who hate you, some may see you as a fool and try to advise you otherwise. Ignore them and obey the counsel of Jesus because 1st Corinthians 1:25 says “…the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

Don’t abuse or insult anybody, your words should be seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). Don’t try to avenge yourself because vengeance is of God and not man (Romans 12:19) Don’t pray for your persecutors to die because God is not interested in the death of a sinner (Ezekiel 18:23, 32). No matter what you are going through in the hands of anyone, always respond in love. By doing so, you will save yourself and the person too and this is the will of God.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Words our carnal natures don't want to "hear", let alone actually "put into practice" especially if one feels justified....
However,
I'm gonna be a little "human" here and say that as a Christian, this one is tough!!!"
What an extremely huge battle and struggle this one is for me....a very serious one.
Yet, this is the heart transformation that must take place..and we are not to put a time-stamp on when the transformation "should" take place in one's heart.
God's Word is truth
John 17:17 (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Regardless of "who" writes about or speaks it and who chooses to believe so.
Beautifully written...

kpakpandoN:
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
Matthew 5:44

As Christians, we are called to a lifestyle of love – unconditional love even towards enemies and unfriendly people.

Some years ago, I went to see a man in his office and although he knew I have arrived, he kept me waiting. He probably thought I would get angry and leave, but I waited patiently. Finally, after several hours, he came in to attend to me and met me smiling. He found it hard to believe. “You waited?” He asked and I responded “Yes sir.” Immediately, his previously unfriendly countenance towards me changed. Today, that ‘unfriendly’ man has a house in Redemption Camp. Responding with love to those who wrong you will confuse and win them over to your side.

Have people been hurting you with their words and actions? From now on, smile and do good to them. Is anyone persecuting you because you are a Christian? Why not pray for them to have an encounter with Christ, so they can change? When you respond with love to those who hate you, some may see you as a fool and try to advise you otherwise. Ignore them and obey the counsel of Jesus because 1st Corinthians 1:25 says “…the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

Don’t abuse or insult anybody, your words should be seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). Don’t try to avenge yourself because vengeance is of God and not man (Romans 12:19) Don’t pray for your persecutors to die because God is not interested in the death of a sinner (Ezekiel 18:23, 32). No matter what you are going through in the hands of anyone, always respond in love. By doing so, you will save yourself and the person too and this is the will of God.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Nice one. This is the hallmark of being called a Christian. May God help us to manifest this virtue unconditionally .