The Right Way

Matthew 5: 44-46 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?

Gracious Father, we ask that You grant us the strength to forgive others as You have forgiven us. Help us to understand that true forgiveness is revealed through our actions. Until we are tested and called to respond with forgiveness, we cannot be fully certain it resides in our hearts. In the same way, love is proven only when it is exercised and felt. We place love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy on display when we act upon them—becoming living testimonies of Your mighty work deep within our souls.

Father God, we confess that whenever we withhold forgiveness or return evil for evil, we lower ourselves to the sinful standards of those who have wronged us. Yet You call us to stand in the power of the Holy Spirit and forgive those who offend us, even when the words “I’m sorry” are never spoken. You also command us to show kindness to our enemies, even when kindness has not been shown to us. Lord, it is easy to speak words that suggest we are following Christ’s example, but it is only by Your power that we are able to live it out. Strengthen us to rise above bitterness, rancor, vain arguments, and unforgiving hearts. Lord God, our desire is to be like Jesus.

Today, we seek You for the grace to be doers of Your holy Word and not hearers only. Mature our faith, elevate our minds, and lead us into deeper levels of obedience. As we encounter difficult and objectionable individuals, empower us to respond as You would respond. In doing so, we triumph and find true freedom in Christ Jesus. Then we walk in the integrity of our faith. Lord, we thank You for the victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.