I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
Dear Ones: You Be Kind! What!!! Did Jesus actually tell us to love our enemies? Yes, in this verse and in many other ways. This type of love is not a sloppy humanistic love but the kind of love that our Father has toward us.
We are to be generous and gracious in our manner toward those who have aligned themselves against us. Paul confirms the Lord’s words this way in Romans 12:20, TLB. “’Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be ‘heaping coals of fire on his head.’ In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you.”
Proverbs 15:1, VOICE, gives us more information. “A tender answer turns away rage, but a prickly reply spikes anger.” Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit of God: an attribute of the Divine Nature. When we follow the command, “You be kind,” then we practice following the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Our souls benefit and the offending one is humbled.
Practice following the Lord’s command, “You be kind.” Let the fruit of self-control bridle your tongue so you can respond to negative people with a tender word. Do not let their anger or hatred infect your soul. You are a child of the King and are called to be more like Him every day. Have a day filled with kindness. I bless you in Jesus’ name.