Love your Enemy # 193

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

Before time began, God cast out Satan and his angels from heaven. God created man in his own image, and we resemble the image of God. In anger towards the Lord, the devil retaliates to anything that reminds him of the image of God.

We are in constant spiritual warfare. The battle is not against flesh and blood but against the devil and his angels. The war is invisible to the natural eyes, requiring faith to engage in the fight. Satan operates in the spirit realm, and we function in flesh and blood. The enemy can not kill us, but he will influence and deceive men into stealing, killing, and destroying one another.

The Word of God is our weapon in war. As we submit and apply the Word of God and resist the enemy, he must flee from us. Our adversary will return to attack our minds with evil thoughts. We must be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Knowing and using our weapon is the best offense. Learning and quoting Scripture is great, but applying them assures us of victory. Consider a few verses we need to implement during the war. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Love never fails, does not hold grudges, it forgives and forgets the crime. After all the offensive we have done against Christ, His love for us is unwavering and unconditional. Our love for each other should resemble the love of Christ. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Praying is death to self, yet the most neglected duty in Christianity. Prayerless Christians are powerless people. The devil hates people who pray and is a continuous reminder of the life of Christ. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Brethren, how can anyone that calls themselves Christian hate or dislike anyone created in the image of Christ? Loving one another is the antidote that cures hatred. Applying the Scriptures is the best way to demonstrate love for each other. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Will you love your enemy created in the image of God?

Gen 1:27, 1Pet 5:8, Jh 13:34, Jh 15:13, Eph 6:18, Mat 5:44

KJV