What have You Heard?

Warriors Arise: November 20, 2023

Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies...

Even now, doesn't this verse mess with your comprehension? In Leviticus 19:18, God tells His people to love their neighbors. Now, Jesus is telling us not only are we to love our neighbors, but we are to love our enemies too.

I am not sure we have the capacity to love our enemies because I am not sure we know how to love our neighbor. What does it mean to love our neighbor? What does that mean to you?

Do you mow their law and keep watch over the house when they are out of town? Is there enough trust between you that they would ask?

Do you take them chicken soup when they are sick?

Do you call each other to see how each are doing?

Do you minister to each other?

Do you borrow things?

Do they call you when they need a cup of sugar?

Do you share opportunities of celebration?

Do you support them when adversity comes?

I am trying to figure this out. If we do not understand what God is telling us when He said to love our neighbor, then how can we know what to do now that Jesus has told us to love our enemy. What does that look like to you?

It seems in our culture we do not have a healthy understanding of how to love our neighbor. If this is true, then we would not know how to demonstrate love toward our neighbor. We would also need to know how to receive love from our neighbor. We would have to open up and share our hurts, dreams, not only give ministry but receive it. We would have ask for their help as well as give it. We would have to listen and be listened too. We would have to serve and be served.

How many relationship do you have that function like that? I can't say that I do. I can get so wrapped up in my own family and the to-dos of life that I do not take the time to truly connect with others. This verse is challenging. I do not want to get focused on "having" to love my enemy when I am not sure I have healthy relationships with my neighbors. It would seem I need to focus on investing in loving relationships with my neighbors so that I know how to respond to my enemy.

Father, I am compelled to explore this verse and how to apply it to my life. I would help, serve, and listen to my neighbors if they asked but I have not built relationships with them. I am sure they would only ask if they were in serious trouble. I want to change this. I want to love my neighbors. I want to love my enemies. I feel like I need to know how to love both my neighbors and my enemies. Lead me to comprehend what this verse means. Give me application and opportunity with my neighbors in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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