The Super Bowl has been played. Football is over for the next few months (Congratulations if your team won! Better luck next season if your team lost).There is build up for weeks, anticipating the game (and the food!). Soon the newest class of rookies will be chosen in the 2025 draft.

I recently heard Derwin Gray, a veteran defensive back for the Colts and the Panthers, tell about his trade experience. Another player was traded in order to acquire him for the team. He spoke about how special he felt that the team thought of him as so valuable that they would trade a good player just to have him on their team. He went on to remind those listening that this is what God the Father did for us. He considered us so valuable that He traded the life of HIs own Son to acquire us! This love is not because of any good that we have done or any works that we can accomplish. (And thank goodness it isn't because of football throwing abilities, otherwise I would be lost!) But seriously, God loves you. He desires a relationship with you. He invites you into His family. Turn to Him today.

“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;” Matthew‬ ‭5:44‬ ‭KJV‬‬

According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word for “Love” in this verse is, ‘’agapaō” (G25) which means, “To welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly, to love (in a social or moral sense).” In Matthew‬ ‭5:44‬ ‭KJV‬‬, Jesus declares, “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.” A new radical commandment.

When you think about your enemies, or those who have set themselves against you, typically, one would think about how to defend his or herself when an enemy tries try to attack. When an enemy attacks your character or tries to steal from you — one would not typically think about how to love an enemy. In fact, Jesus tells us to use this “weapon” against our enemies.

Love is a weapon. This weapon protects our heart from being hardened. Don’t let the hate of others poison the garden of your heart. Don’t let the fear of what others might say or do contaminate the ground of your heart. Don’t let their hate entangle the ground of your heart. Hate mirrors hate. Bitterness begat bitterness. Don’t let the pride and haughtiness of others fuel your fire. Let the fire of God consume every part of your heart. Let God’s fire destroy every bondage and entanglement that’s holding you back from loving others.

Let the trespass of the past go. Let the past offense go. Release the torment of the past and let go of the weight that so easily beset you. Don’t let their hurts, failures and shortcomings derail your future. Don’t stumble by studying the hate of your enemies. Focus on God. Choose Him. Don’t let the actions of your enemies lord over your thoughts and heart.