“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 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 5:43,44)
Hatred is an internal closing of the heart. It deems another unworthy of access to you and pronounces that relationship with them is over. The hated one is kept at arm’s length. Hatred signals final rejection.
Is there someone we hate? Have we been on the receiving end of hatred? Love, not hatred, is a fruit of God’s Spirit. Don’t let any hatred you have experienced turn you into one who hates. Don’t do to others what they have done to you. Do to others what you would like them to do to you. Though their heart is closed toward you, let your heart remain open toward them.
Though they wish to extinguish you from their mind, remember them in prayer. Through they are glad you are out of their life, mourn the loss of their presence in yours. Desire reconciliation. Pray for restoration.
God loves His enemies. He is not willing for any to perish. He hates no one. Be perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect.