We continue our series on the commands of Jesus Christ.
This week, we come to one of the most challenging commands Jesus ever gave. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
This command is not found in the Old Testament. It was revolutionary. It was counter-cultural. It is impossible by human standards yet Jesus commanded it.
He did not say, “Tolerate your enemies.” He did not say, “Ignore your enemies.” He said, “Love your enemies.” This is the radical love that defines the kingdom of God.
First, loving your enemies is the mark of a child of God.
Jesus gave the reason for this command in the very next verse: “That you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:45).
God loves everyone which includes the righteous and the unrighteous. We are God’s children and we must love as He loves.
It is easy to love those who love us. Even unbelievers do that. But loving those who hate us, who have wronged us, who seek to harm us, it is supernatural.
We need the Holy Spirit in order to do this. When we love our enemies, we show the world that we are not like them.
Second, loving your enemies is an act of trust in God.
When we love our enemies, we are not condoning their actions. We are not pretending that evil is good. We are trusting God to be the judge.
Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Love does not mean passivity. It means we refuse to let hatred control us. It means we pray for those who hurt us. It means we bless those who curse us.
We leave justice in the hands of God. And we focus on showing His love, even to those who do not deserve it.
This command is difficult. It goes against every natural instinct. But Jesus did not command us to do something He did not do Himself.
On the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). He loved His enemies. He prayed for those who persecuted Him. And Jesus calls us to do the same. This is the way of the disciple of Jesus Christ. | NWI
