Love Your Enemies

Posted by Rev. Brittany Smith
"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 Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men."    -- Luke‬ 6:35

It's natural to love your family and your friends, but what about your enemies? Do you love those who hate, despise, and use you? God requires us to show the same love to our enemies that we show to the ones we love and are close to, but sadly, that is where many Christians get off of the bus. They will love and take care of their kids, their friends, and everyone that is "easy" to get along with. But when Mr. Sandpaper or Miss Backstabber comes along, they treat them worse than the devil himself would. They have no love for their enemy, and instead show only hatred and disgust towards them. But God is a God of love, and as children of a love God, we are called to be just like He is in every way.

God has not, does not, and will never act out of love with anyone, even His enemies. Luke 6:35 tells us exactly how we should treat evil people—with love. God says to forgive even when people don't deserve it. He says to lend even when people forget to return the favor. He says to love even when people refuse to love you back. Why? Because He did that for us. While we were full of sin and God's enemies, He showed us the greatest demonstration of love the world has ever seen by giving Himself up for us. Romans 5:6-8 says, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” He did it without a guarantee that anyone would ever accept His precious gift. Now, God is calling you and I to do the same . . . to show love to the unlovely. When we do that we are following in the footsteps of Christ and truly loving just as He loves!

Love,

Brittany