Love your enemies
It’s the most well-known of Jesus sayings: “Love your enemies”. What I do is read or remember this and then think, “Yes, those people should love their enemies! All those fighting wars should stop and just love.” And then I think — and what about me? What about the people I would rather cross the street to because of hurt from a bygone season?
Matthew 5:33–46
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Jesus is rewriting the history books. No, not opposing the old, but going further into the original meaning and heart behind the law. In the past the people were instructed to love their neighbour. This is hard enough! To just get past self and love those around us is a big shift. But Jesus says that’s the easy part…
that you may be children of your Father in heaven
Jesus challenge is to love those who hurt us and pray for them. Not in a self righteous way — but with empathy and authenticity. It’s then that we honour the DNA of the Father in us and live as children. Like father like son. That’s the call.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good
Why? Because God loves both those who love Him and those who currently do not. He sees them both the same! He is impartial and He’s calling us to be the same. Jesus wants us to see and treat those who are favourable to us and those who hate us the same. In this was we will be whole — perfect like our Heavenly Father.
How do we do this? By focusing on God’s nature rather than the behaviour of those who act as enemies towards us. When we get greater pleasure out of pleasing God rather than retaliating to others!
Application
- What does “love your enemies” mean for you today? Who comes to mind?
- Are you acting towards this person(s) from the DNA of God (as his children)?
