Love Your Enemies

What is the most difficult doctrine in the Bible? For me, it is Jesus’ commandment to “love your enemies”.  Though not many, there are some people I dislike almost on first sight; there are a few others I dislike based on their actions or demeanor.  Someone seeking to harm my family, my friends and neighbors, I truly dislike. How can I “love those “enemies”?

Thanks to God’s preservation of the holy scriptures, the Bible teaches us how to love our enemies.

Jesus said, ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ 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. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43–48 (NIV)

How can we love our enemies?

My first clue was reading what Jesus said about our love for Him:

¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15 (NKJV)

Further clues I found in reading what He inspired the apostle John to write:

³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:3–4 (NKJV)

² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:2–3 (NKJV)

If that’s how we love God, it seems likely that the same principle applies.

So “loving your enemies” turns out to be a series of simple steps:

• Love God with all your heart, soul and mind
• Love your neighbor as yourself
• Show your love for God by keeping His Commandments
• Show your love for your neighbor by keeping His Commandments
• Show your love for your enemies by keeping His Commandments

Specifically,

even though you dislike someone,

even though you do not want to be around that person,

even though you just don’t like their look or mannerisms,

even though you have concerns that they may truly be an enemy seeking to harm you and/or your family, friends and neighbors,

STILL —

You do not murder them (nor even hate them as Jesus taught us hate was the same as murder),

You do not steal from them (whether or not you’re sure you won’t be caught),

You do not lie (give false testimony) to them or about them,

You do not covet what they have or seek to profit in any manner by mistreating them, their friends or family, or people who work for them nor do you seek to damage them in any way

That is how I love my enemies!  I’ve found that God gives me the strength to overcome the negative feelings I have toward those who are most certainly not my friends and neighbors.  I don’t seek them out for companionship, nor do I pretend to be their friend, but I don’t mistreat them and – given the opportunity and right circumstance – I even try to help them learn God’s ways so they can become my “neighbors”.

²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27–28 (NIV)