"PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU!"

Matthew 5:43-48                  (ESV)

"43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and "PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU",

45 so that you may be sons of your FATHER who is in heaven. For HE makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly FATHER is perfect"

There are times when scripture REALLY convicts me!  A friend recently experienced a major loss in their surroundings.  Although I wasn't one who told my friend that they "hated" people who caused such losses, I have to admit I thought negatively about those who caused the loss.  The word "hate" is one word I try to avoid as the GOD of LOVE, although easily seen, is sometimes hard to find when looking though the lens of "hate"!  

It is easy to fall into the trap of "hating" when you look through earthly eyes.  But when you look through heavenly, GODLY eyes, "hate" is hard to justify.  I know Proverbs 6:16 says "There are six things that the LORD "HATES", seven that are an abomination to him:" and then the writer names those seven things in the following verses.  But the LORD is without fault and I am not!  I sin daily and I can't condemn anyone else because I am too busy confessing my sin!  

When I "PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU" it is hard for me to hold grudges, let alone "hate" someone!  I understand that there are some who choose to "hate", but I choose to be like CHRIST, who died for the people who crucified HIM!  When JESUS spoke in Matthew 5 HE knew that Calvary was in HIS future.  HE chose to forgive those who were responsible for HIS crucifixion in Luke 23:34 even while HE was on the cross!  Imagine being so in control of your emotions that you forgive someone responsible for your own death......while they were performing the act!

As Christians (1. of, relating to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings) we are to follow what HE instructed while here on earth.  To "PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU", whether through lying, cheating, stealing, robbing or any other method, is being what JESUS CHRIST taught us to do!  My prayer is that I will not have to experience a loss such as my friend did, but if I do, may I "PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE ME!".