8th July 2006- The Power of Love

Protected by Love
By Kenneth Copeland

Love your enemies...turn the other cheek...to most people that sounds like a pretty weak way to handle somebody who's causing them trouble. But, the truth is, it's the most powerful way there is. It's the way Jesus did it-- and His way never fails.

Do you remember when Jesus went back to Nazareth and the religious folks were angry with Him and wanted to push Him off a cliff? What happened? He just walked right past them, and no one could lay a finger on Him. Another time they decided to stone Him, and He didn't retaliate that time either. He just walked off. No one could touch Him.

When Jesus walked through that crowd, He wasn't afraid. He knew they couldn't hurt Him because He was walking in the love of God.

When Jesus said to turn the other cheek, He didn't mean for you to stand there and have your brains beaten out. He meant for you to stand there in love and in faith believing that the protecting power of God that accompanies that love would keep you safe. He meant for a man to swing at you and not be able to hit you!

The story of Nicky Cruz as recorded in David Wilkerson's book, The Cross and the Switchblade, is a perfect example of that. Nicky was reputed to be the most ruthless gang leader of his time. Yet, when David Wilkerson stood in front of him, telling him about Jesus, Nicky was totally unable to hurt him. He thrust his knife at David several times. But every time he did, David just said, "Nicky, you can cut me into a thousand pieces and every piece will still say, 'I love you and God loves you." Because of love, Nicky couldn't get his knife close enough to David to hurt him. A supernatural force always stopped it short.

"But I don't have that kind of love!"

Yes, you do. Romans 5:5 tells us that the love of God is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is make the decision to be motivated by that love rather than your own human feelings.

My friend, love never fails! You don't have to be afraid of failure anymore. In fact, you don't have to be afraid of anything. If you're walking in the love of God, you're living the most powerful kind of life there is.

• Point to Ponder: Love your enemies, and the protecting power of God that accompanies that love would keep you safe.

• Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:38-48

• Verse: But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Mat 5:39)

• What you can do about it: Make the decision of loving your enemies, to be motivated by the love of God, rather than your own human feelings.

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Scripture Reading (Matthew 5:38-48):
5:38
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
5:39
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
5:40
And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
5:41
If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
5:43
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
5:44
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
5:45
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
5:46
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
5:47
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

New International Version

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