Articles
Love Your Enemies
"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.” (Matthew 5:44)
In recent years our society has become more polarized politically, morally and spiritually. Paranoia coupled with bitterness has manifested itself in deeds and words of anger. Ironically, in a post-modern world that is supposedly “tolerant,” the enemy of God’s people is easily identified.
In the sermon recorded in Matthew 5 through 7, Jesus teaches the heavenly ethics that marks the character of God’s people. In his logic of how one must treat others, Jesus proceeds from “turning the other cheek” to the principle of “doing good” and “praying” for those who mistreat us. These actions are summarized by one word: Love.
Love is active good will toward another. It is caring for one so that you give one what is needed, not deserved. It involves a conscious and deliberate choice overruling one’s emotions. Certainly one would not feel loving toward a persecutor, but goodwill must override the intuition to hurt. The disciple is commanded to seek the highest good of his enemies.
Jesus marks the enemy among those who “curse you,” “hate you,” and “despitefully use you and persecute you.” These atrocities may include hurtful words, defamation of character and even physical harm. Your adversary may be a co-worker, family member, neighbor, or spouse. One is obviously not going to feel loving toward his enemies.
Love will express itself in active good deeds. It will go beyond simple non-resistance and a refusal to respond in kind (Matt. 5:38-42). One is expected to “do good” – i.e. giving sacrificially of one’s self that the other might live. If possible one must conquer the enemy by destroying the enmity. These sacrificial deeds must be coupled with returning blessing for cursing and praying for God to turn their hearts to kindness.
Love is the badge of the Christian. It is by practicing this virtue that we become like the Father we are called upon to imitate. For even when we were his enemies, He gave his Son that we might live (Romans 5:8).
