How To Love Your Enemies
“...Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”.(Matt. 5:44)
One of the most challenging things that God has told us to do is to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). How does one do this without appearing to be a hypocrite? I mean, really? If someone has hurt me deeply how could I love, bless, do good to and pray for him/her, when I know that all I really want is justice? And that justice can only come when I’m satisfied that he/she has suffered enough for wronging me.
So you see my dilemma. If I do what God says, I am not only depriving myself of the justice that I seek, but also, I have to do so ‘with love’. Now tell me that that isn’t hard to do.
A few years ago I heard a song by a Country Western singer about praying for your enemies (or something along that line) and in it he sang that he took the advice of the Preacher at his church, and decided to pray for his ex-girlfriend who had broken his heart. The thing was, He prayed that awful things would happen to her, and that made him feel so good that he resolved to do it again.
I laughed when I heard it, and the words made me feel good because someone understood how much easier it was to seek justice, than to offer forgiveness. Now that is being real.
Unfortunately for us, God is more concerned with our obedience to His Will, not because He’s mean and uncaring, but because He knows that the way He has prescribed is the best way for us to heal. Revenge disguised as ‘justice’ is not what God wants us to focus on. “...For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God”, says His Holy Word (Js 1:20). So, if healing is truly what we want, then we have to do it His way, a little at a time, as sincerely as we can. And that is being obedient.
How to love your enemies? Don’t doubt the remedy. Use the formula that God has prescribed.
I've tried it, and I can testify that it works.
Comments (13)
I avoid those SOB's
I avoid those SOB's
I certainly can't love everyone equally, but hating everyone equally breaks the problem down to a point where the problem is more manageable for our minds..
I certainly can't love everyone equally, but hating everyone equally breaks the problem down to a point where the problem is more manageable for our minds..
I also remembered that the Lord says; "Vengence is mine"
So I said Lord You go get her, (My sister)
The loving part is the most difficult...........working on it..........
Good blog!................
Love your enemies, bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you
and persecute you”.
(Matt. 5:44)
Mostly your topics are always good.
We should not hate our enemy, it seems a little bit possible. But we should love our enemy, it seems impossible.
How many conditions are there to love your boyfriend or girlfriend: tall, good looking, smart, intelligent, honest, faithful, well educated, well settled, having sense of humor, kind hearted, peaceful, no bad habits, down to earth, etc. etc.
How can we love our enemy so easily?
Complain to God:
Why were Adam and Eve cast out of heaven? Why did they get such a big punishment?
It is because both of them ate the fruit of that tree which God had forbidden to eat.
Such a big punishment for eating fruit only? Is it kindness or cruelty of God upon Adam and Eve?
The God who could not forgive Adam and Eve for eating the fruit, is teaching us the lesson of forgiveness and love.
Well, I am not against anyone, just according to the stories written in the scriptures, questions arise in my mind.
Sorry Didi, my comment has become a bit inappropriate. My intention is just to put my questions only, not to hurt any believers.
I also remembered that the Lord says; "Vengence is mine"
So I said Lord You go get her, (My sister)
The loving part is the most difficult...........working on it..........
Good blog!................
"Complain to God:
Why were Adam and Eve cast out of heaven? Why did they get such a big punishment?
It is because both of them ate the fruit of that tree which God had forbidden to eat.
Such a big punishment for eating fruit only? Is it kindness or cruelty of God upon Adam and Eve?
The God who could not forgive Adam and Eve for eating the fruit, is teaching us the lesson of forgiveness and love."
Whilst I could never 'speak' for God, my understanding of what took place is that :
1. Adam and Eve's act was of disobedience to God's command/directive/strong suggestion, and
2. God's act was of correction, as well as protection.
As children, our disobedience was usually 'corrected' (but forgiven). As parents, teachers, elders and or caregivers we are/have been responsible for providing discipline, as well as protection, as a part of demonstrating the LOVE that we sometimes (so easily) profess. That's what our GOD OF LOVE did, and continues to do.
I do hope that this clears up your confusion.
So you can love and forgive in your heart, even if you can,t join enemies if they attack you or do bad.
So you can love them and forgive.Jesus said if you don,t forgive any one nor God will not forgive your sin.
So be pure in heart and love all people and forgive them in your heart who do against you.
God bless.