For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Desires are something that every person has. Most often those desires are things for self, while occasionally for other people. Very rarely do people have good desires for their enemies. That focus is upon vengeance or harm to their enemies, not something good. Everything usually comes down to a selfish focus upon self and what is best for self, whether it is good or bad for others.
As Paul encourages Timothy to pray for everyone, he points out that pray is good in God’s eyes because He desires that every person become saved and to know the truth.
Having an enemy is something every person can relate to. The level and type of enemy may be different for each person, but everyone has one or more. All that is desired for an enemy is revenge. People want harmful, dangerous enemies locked up and put away for good.
God has a different outlook upon His enemies. Instead of desiring to crush them, He would rather see them be saved. Many believers forget that it was while they were mortal enemies of God that it was then that God sent His Son to die upon the cross for them. It was then that God chose to offer forgiveness of all sins and wrongs that had been done. It was then that God extended true love.
Rather than being like the world and seeking vengeance or ignoring their enemies, believers need to pray for them and be His witness to them. Their desire should be the same as God’s, that their enemies would be saved and come to the knowledge of God’s truth.
There will always be some people in your life who are enemies. Some directly to you and others indirectly. You have a choice on how you will see those enemies and what you will do about them. Allow God to show His love for them and desire to save them from their sins just as He did you.
Pray for them that God will save them and fill them with His eternal truth and love. Be a witness of His great love and offer them His truth to give them the chance to have eternal life as you have.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will see your enemies as God sees them; that you will desire that everyone is saved by Jesus; that you will desire that everyone knows God’s truth in their lives; and that you will have God’s love for all people.
Photo by Christian Cacciamani on Unsplash
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