Read Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Matthew 5:43-44 (NLT)
The Apostle Paul talks about us being ambassadors of reconciliation, not regarding anyone from a worldly point of view. The worldly view is “hate your enemies.” Christ says here that we are to be different; we are to love even our enemies. So when people mistreat us, we are not only to forgive them, but to work to restore the relationship to a positive mutually supportive one. This is really difficult, which is why we need the power of the Holy Spirit.
