Romans 5:8-10 we read, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

You see, the heart of God was reconciled unto His dear children from eternity; the Lord looked upon that blessed blood of Christ and His sacrifice of love. God's heart was reconciled to His dear children, to His people while they were still enemies.

Doesn't that teach us the need to have a heart of love to those who are our enemies? How do we know if the Lord will use our love toward our enemies to bring them into reconciliation with God?

The Father's love for His people began in eternity, when He loved His people enough to send His own Son while they were still enemies.

1 John 4:10 says, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." God the Father so loved His dear children that He sent His own Son to take away His burning wrath upon sin, to be the propitiation for our sins. Such love God had for His dear children. It was not because we loved God, but that He loved us.

Verse 11 tells us, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." Look at the precious admonition there. If we see the love God had for us, then we should love one another. Therefore, we should love our enemies while they are still enemies. While they are still slandering and cursing us and trying to destroy and persecute us, we should be blessing them and demonstrating tokens of love.