Together in Christ: 'Erasing Hate with Love' — Proverbs 10:12

Jesus made today's Scripture clearer and even more powerful for us:

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." ^[1]

No matter how impossible this principle feels, loving those who hate us is the Lord's powerful "eraser-of-evil." This eraser has power to heal division, ^[2] dissolve hatred, ^[3] and release the heart of a disciple to live in the power of the Spirit. ^[4]

Thankfully, God demonstrated His "eraser-of-evil" principle to us when He sent Jesus to die for us and save us. God did this while we were "powerless," "ungodly," "sinners," and "enemies" of God. ^[5] In other words, God has already shown His love for His enemies by sending Jesus! God then gave us the power to follow His example since His "love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ^[6] So, as impossible as this principle of love seems, let's commit to trusting in the Spirit's power as the Spirit transforms us to be more and more like Jesus. By the Spirit's power, we can return good for evil, blessing for cursing, and love for hate. ^[7] We cannot control what people do to us or say about us or to us, but we can ask the Spirit to guide our responses and reflect the grace and transforming love of Jesus in all of our relationships!