How to Love Our Enemies

33. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44. But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,  Matthew 5:43-44

We struggle to love our enemies because few of us ever repent. Those who are willing to incriminate themselves enough to seek change are dwindling. The deceiver amongst us today tells us that we aren´t so bad. That is just what we want to hear. We prefer to compare ourselves with other sinners who are much worse. Nobody wants to weigh their hearts against God´s.

Yet, that is the key. If we would come to our senses, we would approach the Lord. We would resist listening to the flattering voices. We would humble ourselves and seek the scrutiny of eyes that pierce our souls. Falling before the presence of God brings everything to light. The lies we could tell ourselves cannot be hidden from the One who knows every secret.

The magical process begins when we sense the tug to come close to Christ. We sense our need and His call and the desire to respond grows. The heart cries, “Yes, Lord, we will look away and let our hearts run to You.” This longing is a sign that God´s Spirit is stirring within. The successful exchange of our nature with His climbs towards reality. Christ becomes our Savior, not in words alone. He is the path we will walk on from then on.

Dear Jesus, we want to be like Stephen who prayed for the angry mob as they heaved the stones to kill him.  Let us feel that kind of love that goes out to those who intend to harm or slander us.  This, You can do, Lord. But it will no longer be our hearts that do it. It will be Your great heart that moves us as we focus our souls upon You. Amen

Romans 12:20 ESV / To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 12:14 ESV / Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Luke 23:34 ESV / And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Luke 6:35 ESV / But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

1 John 4:7 ESV / Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Acts 7:60 ESV / And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.