The Word of God is a two-edged sword. It is His job, and not mine, to bring conviction and judgment.
I have had two people in my life that have been a consistent enemy, intentionally causing much pain through words and deeds. For the past thirteen years, I and others have been praying for them.
Tonight I received a text from one of them, apologizing to me for all the bad things they ever said or done to me.
If you are in the same situation, be encouraged, and do not stop doing good. Lean not on your own understanding when God tells you to do something that goes against your natural instinct. Because what matters lies in the eternal realm and not this immediate moment.
Sharing God’s love with others – no matter how hard it can be – is more important than being comfortable or being “right for the moment”.
Sharing God’s Word is not always verbal, but in how you act and react to situations that occur. Your response done with dignity, integrity, and truth carries impact. God is working through you at all times – even when you don’t see it happening. Even when you cry out to God about a situation, He is already working on all the hearts involved.
For the believer, it is trusting Him to bring the right outcome. For the one offending, it is about bringing them back into the circle of His love they had known at one time and then chose to turn away.
This particular person fits into the last category. Heaven rejoices when one recognizes their hurtful behavior and tries to make it right before God first and then to the people they have hurt. Although this person is now in their seventies, this person is still a child of God – the prodigal child returning to His circle of love.
Have you ever wondered how you would respond when someone who you consider your enemy comes and asks for forgiveness? I have. I have found an overwhelming feeling of God’s love and grace filling my heart with compassion, and He gives me the strength to say the most powerful words on earth: I forgive you.
When your enemy comes, be ready in your heart with forgiveness. Because if your heart isn’t prepared to truly forgive, you can do more harm than good. Work out forgiveness in your heart before you are asked to forgive, and you will find yoursef prepared for the moment.
Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.