Daily Devotional - January 16th, 2026
“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
“Love that stops at agreement is preference. Love that reaches an enemy is obedience.” — Alma Ohene-Opare
Commentary:
Loving your enemies is one of Christ’s most demanding commands because it cuts against instinct. The natural man seeks fairness, vindication, and distance from those who wound us. Yet the Savior calls us to something higher, not because enemies deserve love, but because love transforms the one who gives it. When we refuse to let hatred take root, we guard our agency and keep our hearts free. Bitterness chains the soul. Charity liberates it.
Consider a farmer who allows weeds to grow because uprooting them is uncomfortable. Over time, the weeds steal water, sunlight, and strength from the good seed. In the same way, resentment left unattended chokes faith and peace. Loving an enemy does not mean approving wrong behavior or abandoning truth. It means refusing to surrender moral ground by responding with the same spirit that caused the harm. Mercy is not weakness. It is disciplined strength under God’s law.
This principle preserves both faith and freedom. A free society depends on citizens who can govern their reactions, even under offense. A faithful life depends on hearts aligned with Christ, even when wronged. Jesus loved His enemies from the cross, not because cruelty was justified, but because redemption required a higher law. When we choose love over retaliation, we step into that same law and reflect the character of the Savior.
Scripture:
“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
Daily Application:
Pray sincerely today for someone who has wronged you, asking God to bless them and to soften your own heart.