I love the scene in Diary of a Mad Black Woman when the abusive ex-husband answers the altar call, hobbling forward to give his life to God. It was so touching to witness his transformation. Seeing this example of how God can and does transform lives erased the ill will I felt toward this character. And what was especially praiseworthy about it all is that the woman he treated so callously is the one who invited him to church with her. She demonstrated God’s love through forgiveness.
Since the Lenten season begins on Valentine’s Day this year, I think this is the perfect opportunity to write about loving our enemies. This is exactly what Jesus chose to do when He died on the cross for each of us.
“Love your enemies,” Jesus commanded. Even today, that sounds so radical. It is definitely a tall order, and we can’t do it on our own. But we can with the help of God.
Who are our enemies?
I’m not going to name any specific examples from my own life because I like to forgive and forget whenever possible and leave it all in God’s hands.
But I am sure we all have someone from our past who has hurt us or someone we love, someone we may have considered an enemy. According to the Bible, our enemies are those who hate us, curse us, and mistreat us (Luke 6:27-28 AMP). They are those who despitefully use us and persecute us (Matthew 5:44 KJV). The Bible also says that even we were once enemies of God ourselves (Romans 5:10).
Why we should love our enemies
It can be hard to forgive those who have harmed us or a loved one. We may even feel tempted to get even. But the truth is that we all need forgiveness, and if we want to be forgiven then we need to give it.
”For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.“ – Jesus (Matthew 6:14 AMP)
Because God first loved us
God has great love for all of us, including for our enemies who may also be His like we once were. God does not hold our sins against us; He loves us anyway. When we deserve His wrath, He gives us grace. It is because of this great love that we can have empathy for our enemies. When loving our enemies is difficult, we can ask God for help. His love for us is the reason that we have love to give to others, and the reason we should give it even to those who have mistreated us.
”’But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.’“ – Jesus (Luke 6:27-28 AMP)
Because we love Jesus
We have been given a new life in Christ because of the second chance that God has given us through His Son, Jesus. Because of Jesus, nothing can separate us from the love of God. In His great mercy and unconditional love for us, Jesus paid for our sins while we were still lost in them. Therefore, we honor Jesus by loving like He does. Jesus says that the proof of our love for Him is our obedience to Him. So if we want to demonstrate our love for Him, we obey His command to love our enemies.
”’If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.’“ – Jesus (John 14:15 AMP)
To demonstrate Whose we are
Jesus says that people will know we are His disciples by the love that we show each other (John 13:35). He also says that even sinners love those who love them. Then He teaches us that when we love our enemies and do good to them, we will be children of the Most High God (Luke 6:35-36).
”’But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked.’“ – Jesus (Luke 6:35 AMP)
How does the Bible say we should love our enemies?
The Bible says that loving our enemies means we should seek the best for them rather than revenge. It says that we should do good to those who hate us, rather than hope for harm to come to them. The Bible also says that we should bless and show kindness to those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:27-28).
Whenever I feel tempted by anger toward those who have harmed me out of indifference or hostility toward God, I think about the path they are on and it inspires me to want the best for them and to pray for them. What is the best? Salvation, of course. How do we do bless and show kindness to those who curse us? By showing them the love of God. What do we pray for those who mistreat us? That they will accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
Of course, loving our enemies does not mean accepting or ignoring abusive behavior directed toward us. What it does mean is following Jesus’ example in loving sacrificially and forgiving others as He forgave us.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Until next time, stay beautiful! 💖
