LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

But I say to you who hear; love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” –Luke

6:27

Most people have argued that the command to “love your enemies” is an extremely difficult command given by Jesus.  They say that it is not practical to follow, and just isn’t possible to put into practice. Theologians have debated that Jesus did not mean for ordinary people to practice this concept of loving your enemies; rather, that it is just and ideal.  However, in today’s society this command is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization.  The world is at unrest, people of many countries are rising up in civil protest against their governments who are charged with protecting them; but, in some instances are killing them.  The world is increasingly filled with anger, hatred and malice.  Brother rising up against brother.  So, the question is asked, “How do you love your enemies and defeat the system of hatred?”

You rise to the level of loving your enemies by understanding and embracing the fact that every individual is created in God’s image and that Jesus paid the same price for them as He did for you.  You are able to love because of God’s redemptive love is deep within your very being.  You cultivate this love by mediating on scriptures that teach of love; such as, I Corinthians 13, and by loving people because God loves them.  You do not repay evil for evil, but you “love our enemies,” and you demonstrate this love every opportunity that you can.  And finally, you “love our enemies,” because love has within itself a redemptive power.  Hating your enemy has no way to redeem or to transform them; in fact, hating tears down and it is destructive.  But, if you love your enemies you will discover that love is creative and it builds up.  So, love your enemies.

Prayer—Lord, forgive me for hating my enemies, and help me to demonstrate your love to my world around me, by doing acts of kindness, in Jesus Name.  Amen.