Biblical Devotion: Living Like the Father

 Biblical Devotion: Living Like the Father

Scripture
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
— Matthew 5:44–45 (RSV)

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Personal Reflection
It’s easy to love the people who love us back. But Jesus challenges us with something far more radical—love your enemies. Not just tolerate them or avoid them—love them.Why? Because that’s what our Father does.

In the Hebrew mindset, to be a son (ben) meant more than biology. It meant to carry the character and likeness of your father. So when Jesus says that we love our enemies so that we may be sons of our Father, He’s calling us to act in a way that reveals whose children we really are. Our Father is compassionate. He is merciful. He provides sun and rain for those who curse Him, and He showed the ultimate love by sending His Son for those who would nail Him to a cross.

This isn't a weakness. It's divine strength. God-loving strength. Christlike power.

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Contemplation
Whose character are you displaying when you’re mistreated? If someone judged your faith by how you treat your enemies, what would they conclude? We don’t reflect God best when we win arguments or prove our enemies wrong—we reflect Him when we show the same mercy He showed us.

Think about someone who has wronged or hurt you. Have you prayed for them? Not prayers of justice or judgment—but of mercy, redemption, and blessing? That’s the kind of love that reveals God as our Father.

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Prayer
Father in Heaven, You loved me when I was Your enemy. You showed kindness when I deserved wrath. Today, I ask for Your grace to love those who oppose me—not with shallow words, but with sincere prayer and godly compassion. Let me be a true child of Yours, displaying Your nature to the world, even to those who reject me. May Your love be seen in how I respond to hatred, and may I never forget the mercy You have shown to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.