“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you.” —Matthew 5:43–44
You’ve heard the expression “forgive and forget”—but is it really possible? Perhaps someone once hurt you very deeply—and the emotional scars still ache in your memory. The last thing you think you could ever do is forgive and forget.
And yet Jesus goes even further: He tells us not only to forgive and forget but to love the one who hurt us and pray for their welfare. We aren’t to erase them from our memories; we are to keep them in our prayers!
Impossible? Yes—apart from God’s help. What must we do? First, remember how generously Christ forgave you. You hurt God far more than anyone ever hurt you—and yet He willingly sent His Son to die in your place so you could be forgiven. Never forget how much it cost Christ to forgive you.
Second, begin seeing the other person through God’s eyes. He loves them, just as He loves you. Don’t hold on to your hurts any longer, but turn them over to Christ and ask Him to help you forgive others—and then love them just as He does.
You’ve promised us, Lord, that what is impossible with man is possible with You. We know You can give us a heart that loves even those who have hurt us. Help us follow Your example by loving our enemies.
BGM
