*🕊 DOMINION DAILY DEVOTION ~ DAY 8* *📅 DATE: 8TH JANUARY, 2026* *TOPIC: THE PERFECTION OF LOVE* *ANCHOR SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 5:44,48 (NKJV)* *“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you… Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”* *Devotional Message* In the old order, love was often limited to those we had good relationships with—those who loved us in return. But when God took human form and came to dwell among us, He revealed a higher and deeper standard of love. Jesus taught us not only to love our neighbours but also to love our enemies, those who spitefully use us and persecute us. Jesus concludes this teaching by saying that when we love in this manner, we are perfected just as our Father in heaven is perfect. This shows us that love brings perfection. As ambassadors of Christ here on earth, we are called not only to preach love but to practice it, just as Christ did while He walked on the earth. In the Old Testament, David—a man after God’s own heart—never rejoiced at the death of his enemies. When news came to him that Saul and later Abner had died, David did not celebrate, even though they had caused him great pain. Instead, his response revealed reverence for God and a heart aligned with divine love. David refused to repay evil with evil. This is the same pattern Christ expects from us today. Since Christ now lives in us, we must respond to those who wrong us by repaying evil with good. We are not to take vengeance into our own hands but to leave judgment to God, even choosing to pray for those who hurt us. The Bible records the depth of God’s love for mankind—that He patiently waits for us to repent and does not desire that any should perish. Even when sin separated us from Him, God demonstrated His love by sending His one and only Son to die for us and restore us back to Himself. Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him and that Peter would deny Him, yet He still prayed for them. This is the love we are called to embrace. When we walk in such love, we reflect the nature of the Father and grow into spiritual maturity. Indeed, love brings perfection. Prayer Father, thank You for the gift of Your love revealed through Jesus Christ. Help me to love beyond my emotions, to forgive those who have wronged me, and to reflect Your nature in all my relationships. Teach me to repay evil with good and to walk in love as Christ walked. Perfect me through Your love, that I may be a true ambassador of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen. *Daily Bible Reading* Matthew 5:43–48,Romans 12:17–21,1 John 4:7–12 *THEME:* YEAR OF VICTORY(2 SAMUEL 8:6b;14b) *Author :* Alfred Wabuko Manyasi *Contact :* *Email :* Alfredwabuko1966[gmail].com *Facebook :* Alfred Wabuko Manyasi *WhatsApp Group:* https://chat.whatsapp.com/BWBMkpXiVXAHMv2DkoGVqg 🌐 *Dominion Daily Devotion,2026*