Only the Lord is able to fill us with the measure of sympathy and love for those who are suffering. How can we know the trauma of what some are going through, except through the Holy Spirit of Grace and Power, unless we have experienced it ourselves? In Matthew 5: 44, Jesus says, “But I say to you, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” As we call upon the Lord to fill us with Calvary Love, He enables us to have His Love extended even to those who are the offenders, therefore, keeping our hearts free from being hardened. The choices our enemies make may not change, but if we let our hearts become embittered at their actions, then we ourselves have fallen victims of disobedience to the Lord’s commandments to “Love our enemies.”
I cannot change anyone, but I am responsible for my own heart and its obedience to the Word of God.. Within a few months of becoming a Christian, I had to face the issue of forgiving a person who had intentionally injured a very young family member. In my conversations with the Lord, I reiterated several times that this individual did not deserve to be forgiven – to which the Lord responded, “If I forgave you all your entire life’s sins, can you not forgive this person this one act of violence?” My response was such, that within a few weeks of releasing forgiveness, I had such a joyful love in my heart that I could have greeted this individual with a hug, although I have never seen this person since. Matthew 6: 4 – 5 says, “For if you forgive men their transgressions, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your heavenly Father will not forgive your transgressions.”
In Matthew 18, Jesus speaks in a parable of a person who is forgiven much by a king who had mercy on him, and then he goes out and chokes, and throws in jail, someone who owes him but a little. In verses 33 – 35, we read, “Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, even as I had mercy on you? And his lord moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that he owed him. So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Jesus says in Matthew 12: 50, “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in Heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Jesus also says in Matthew 11: 29 – 30, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy (kindly or pleasant), and My load is light.”
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: Thank You for Your Calvary Love and Mercy, which we are able to draw upon in these times of unprecedented evil. Thank You that Your commandment to love simplifies everything, as we submit to its obedience. Thank You for the awesome gift of mercy upon our lives, which we may impart to others in Your Name. May You be greatly glorified through the forgiveness of Your people, released today toward their enemies. Glory to You alone!
