For Those Who Mistreat You

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Prayer - Luke 6:27-31 - For Those Who Mistreat You - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Prayer – Luke 6:27-31 – For Those Who Mistreat You – Growing As Disciples

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31 (NIV)

My Enemies

I hear you. I’m listen carefully to you. My eyes and ears and heart and mind and life are focused on you. You have my full attention. I am following your example. How so? How are you following my example? What example of mine do you now have in your heart and mind? What example of mine do you want to put into practice in your life? I know that you love me. That is very obvious. You came into this world for me. You gave your life as a payment for my sin. You died on the cross so that I could be forgiven and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. How did I respond to your love? I was disinterested. How did I receive the gift that you made available to me? I ignored it. I rejected it. I was sure that I didn’t need or want it. I walked on a path that led away from you. I lived a life of sin and darkness. I did what I wanted when I wanted it. I lived solely for my comfort and pleasure. I did whatever I felt like doing. I firmly rejected the new life that you wanted to give to me. Beyond that, I lived as your enemy. Need I say more about myself? No, you need say no more about yourself. But, you would not let me go. Your love pursued me. Your love surrounded me. You showed me your kindness, mercy and love. No doubt, you prayed for me as I lived as your enemy. I did not deserve your kindness and mercy and love. I did nothing to merit your forgiveness and cleansing. Yet, you kept on loving me. You kept on doing good things for me. Your love drew me back to you. Your love made me able to accept the new life that you wanted to give to me. Your love made me able to receive your forgiveness and cleansing. Your love adopted me into your family. You are my God and father. I am your child. Yes, you are.

This is the example that you have set before me. You loved me as I lived as one of your enemies. Yes, I did. You want me to become like you. Yes, I do. You want me to love my enemies. You want me to do good things and pray for those who have hurt and mistreated me. Yes, I do. You want me to shine brightly as a bold witness for you in the world. Yes, I do. You want others to see your love and life being lived out in and through me. Yes, I do. Will you love others just as I have loved you? Will you pray for your enemies? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. Then you will be my bright and bold witness in the world. 

Lord, you showed your love to me when I was one of your enemies. You have given me an example to follow. I will love my enemies. I will do good things for those who have hurt and mistreated me. Help me to shine brightly as a bold witness for you in the world. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Prayer – Luke 6-27-31 – For Those Who Mistreat You – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

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