What Price Would You Pay?
Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly.
We live in a world obsessed with self-preservation. Look after yourself. Protect your own interests. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you. And let’s be honest – that’s how most of us operate day to day.
Back in the 1500s, a Dutch Christian named Dirk Wilhelms escaped from prison. He was condemned to die for his faith. As he ran across a frozen moat, one of his guards fell through the ice. Now, Dirk could have kept running – freedom was right there for the taking. But instead, he turned back, pulled his enemy out of the water, and in doing so sealed his own fate. He was rearrested and burned at the stake.
Why would a man do that? Jesus once said:
Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly.
It’s easy enough to nod politely at that verse, but living it? That’s something else entirely. Dirk didn’t just believe it – he embodied it. And in that moment, his Christlike love shouted louder than any sermon.
So let me ask you – what would you give to save another soul? Your time? Your comfort? Your pride? Maybe even your safety?
Look, despite the fact that we each secretly long for a comfortable, predictable life, the hard cold truth of the matter is that the love of Jesus always costs us something.
So, compared to what He gave – His very life for yours and mine – how could we hold anything back? Friend, the challenge is real. Will you love others like Jesus loves you, when it’s hard? When it hurts? When it costs you everything? That’s the call.
Because that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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