February week 1 - "LOVE THEM ANYWAY: God's Way

February Week 1

“LOVE THEM ANYWAY": God's way.

Hello and Welcome to February, and to a brand-new series with Trust The King Bible Study: 

Bible Study: Week 1 “LOVE THEM ANYWAY”:

The Radical Response, “God’s Way”.

This month, we are exploring one of the most difficult applications of trust: how we treat the people who are the hardest to love. It takes very little effort to love those who are kind or good to us, but it takes profound trust in God to love those who oppose us. This series is about moving beyond our own feelings and into God's heart for others.

We are starting this month with the radical, life-changing command of Jesus found in our Scripture Focus: Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) - "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." 

Introduction: Who would be honest enough to admit that it’s not easy to love those that hurt you? The bible never asks us to deny truth in order to show love. Love says, “I don’t hate you. I still want good for you.” But love with boundaries says, “I just won’t keep placing myself where I can be harmed.” Boundaries are not unforgiveness, they are wisdom. LOVE THEM ANYWAY does not mean pretend nothing happened. But Jesus doesn't suggest that we love our enemies; He commands it. Jesus loved people who hurt Him—but He was never in denial about who they were or what they did. Loving someone simply means choosing kindness, prayer, and grace without pretending the wound didn’t happen. This is the ultimate "Trust Challenge", because our natural instinct is to protect ourselves or strike back. When we choose to bless those who curse us, we are telling God, "I trust Your justice and Your heart more than my right to be angry." Loving them anyway isn't about the other person deserving it; it's about us obeying God. So let’s be honest, if we can admit, we may have work to do.

 Breaking Down the Verses:

1. "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you": • This is not about feelings. Jesus isn’t telling you to feel warm toward someone who hurt you. Biblical love is a mandate—choosing not to seek revenge, not to hold hatred in your heart, and not to wish harm on others. This is love in action. It’s not a fuzzy feeling; it’s a deliberate choice to be at peace with someone who has positioned themselves against you. It requires us to trust that God sees our sacrifice of love, even others don't. This doesn’t mean putting yourself back in a harmful situation. It means your response is guided by integrity, not bitterness. You don’t repay hurt with hurt. You don’t tear them down to others. You act in a way that reflects God’s character—even if they don’t deserve it. You can love someone without trusting them and without staying close. 

2. "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.": • To bless someone is to refuse to speak negatively about them. It’s about guarding your words and your spirit. Again, blessing does not mean pretending nothing happened, but prayer is the bridge to loving them anyway. It is nearly impossible to maintain a heart of hatred toward someone for whom you are sincerely praying. When we pray for our "enemies," God begins to transform our hearts to look more like His. Prayer changes you before it ever changes them. It releases the weight of resentment and hands justice and healing over to God.

Let's look at the story in 1 Samuel with David and Saul: "Love Without Continued Access".

King Saul was chosen by God, anointed with love, favor, and purpose. God gave Saul victory, authority, and repeated opportunities to walk in obedience. Even when Saul began to drift, God didn’t withdraw His love overnight. He corrected him. He warned him. Then waited patiently for him to change. Then David entered the story. David was innocent. Loyal. Respectful. He played music to calm Saul’s troubled spirit. He fought Saul’s battles. He honored Saul—even while Saul tried to kill him. Here’s where God’s posture shifts. God loved Saul, but Saul’s repeated disobedience forced a change in how God dealt with him.

“I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” — 1 Samuel 15:11

God did not stop loving Saul. But God removed His favor, withdrew His Spirit, and changed His posture. At the same time, God protected David and David loved Saul enough not to kill him, even when given the chance. David also loved God enough to leave Saul’s presence. He fled and he created distance. David’s heart stayed right—even when the relationship could not stay close. God didn’t stop caring about Saul—but He stopped entrusting him with the same access, authority, and nearness. Sometimes God loves people deeply, but changes how He engages with them. And He calls us to do the same. You can love them, pray for them, and wish them blessings and healing, without staying in the same area of closeness. That isn’t unloving. That is spiritual and biblical wisdom.

Here’s the lesson God shows us:

• Love does not require enabling harm.

• Mercy does not cancel consequences.

• Distance can coexist with compassion.

• LOVING THEM ANYWAY is a prerequisite - and it’s God’s way. 

Your Challenge: The "Enemy" Intercession.

Identify one person who has mistreated you, annoyed you, or caused you harm. Spend a few minutes praying for God’s blessing and peace to be upon their life. Do not pray for them to "change", but simply ask God to show them His love. Trust that as you pray for them, God will begin to heal you.

Invite your friends and family to enjoy Bible Study.

What's Next?

Next week, we’ll look at the ultimate standard for our relationships: learning to love exactly like Jesus loved us. Until then, may you find the strength to love anyway. 

Blessings,

The Trust The King Team

Tony Jackson

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