Loving Our Enemies

JESUS SPEAKING

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you. Do not even the tax collectors do the same.” (Matthew 5: 43 – 46)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

The way that we treat our enemies reveals the authenticity of our Christian faith. As imitators of Jesus we are called to love those who hate us. When we love our friends and despise our enemies, nothing remarkable is expressed or observed (as even those who are evil practice this form of devotion.) And yet if we display a supernatural affection for our adversaries, then others will witness the risen Lord accomplishing His works through us; and many will be transformed.

As the story goes, hundreds of years ago an elderly Christian man entered a forest in Poland on his journey toward his native country. He soon encountered a band of robbers who demanded all of his valuables, finally asking: “Have you given us all?” When he had finally answered “All,” they let him go. Once safely out of sight the old man felt something hard in the hem of his robe. It was his gold; sewn there for safety. He promptly hurried back and found the thieves. He said, “I have told you what was not true; it was unintentional. I was too terrified to think. Here, take the gold in my robes.” To his astonishment, nobody offered to take his gold. In fact, one man returned his purse, another returned his book of prayer, while still another returned his horse and helped him to mount it. They watched as he slowly rode away. Good had triumphed over evil.

We read in Romans 12: 20 – 21, “Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head,” (conviction.) “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” As Christians we are commanded to love our enemies; to greet them and show them kindness, no matter how devious. In so doing, others may observe this supernatural love of God and be drawn to the Lord.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we are grateful for all of the blessings You have bestowed upon us. May we let go of any hatred we are harboring for others, that we would seek to love even the worst of our enemies. May we greet our friends and adversaries with an equal measure of affection. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus name, amen.” God bless all of You!