43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love they neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 5:43-45

We live in a world of strange paradox, where the persons I should hate the most, I’m called to love the most! Who is my enemy? I guess it could be anyone, including myself at times. Of course this is the deep teaching from the God of the universe, I must love my enemy.

This is so hard, we live in such a pluralistic society, battle lines are being drawn in families, churches, businesses, and communities across the world, over what? Over diametrically opposed worldviews? These might seem like reasons to have enemies, but as Christians we must see past these distractions, and take on an eternal worldview.

We must at all times, pray and seek the lost, our enemy. These are hurting people, this is the reason they are hurting! A world view that says they are nothing but a cog in an evolutionary biological wheel; an avatar in a collective society that have no thought on their own vs. being imago dei, make in the Image of God; these people have worth! Our enemy has eternal worth! We must treat them so!

This is hard, because the persecution is becoming more and more real, even to the point of major injury and even death. Our response to attack is love, our response to curses is blessings, and we must do good to those who hate us! How powerful is that attitude. How hard is that worldview? It’s not a natural tendency.

How to Prepare

As a christian, I must put on Christ, I must renew my mind each and every day with the Word of God. This is the responsibility of each Christian. As my friend Kevin told me, Remember the M&M’s: Memorization and Meditation on scripture each and every day. I must put this on over and over again, not slip. Remembering that my burdens are placed on the capable shoulders of Christ himself, I have nothing to fear or worry about.

Over the last few weeks after getting this far in my memorization, I’ve realized the gems I’ve placed in my heart. It’s better fortified for the attack, which is imminent. Even last night, I was in so much pain from cramps and pain, and my mind went immediately to Matthew 5. It’s a powerful testimony that scripture can calm the soul and the body.

Put off the Natural Man

We must remember our battle is a spiritual battle, and though it might seem like we are at war with our enemies, they are really our goals. We need to reach to them with love, compassion, peace and good works. Not to be conceded and mean, but to be humble, gentle, kind and loving.

I listened to an interview from a man who marched with Dr. King during the Civil Rights movements, and he talked about the power of peace. Dr. King told the marchers to fall to their knees when being beaten, and pray for the people beating them. Each marcher had to pledge they would never return evil for evil, otherwise they were not welcome in the ranks. When they were beaten, they acted with peace!

This mindset is not the mindset of the world, it is an eternal world view. Our natural man wants to block the punches and kicks. That is not going to win the soul of the one punching and kicking, it just makes them punch and kick harder. Our enemy is looking for a fight, let’s not give them the pleasure.

Bless those who persecute us

During this we must constantly ask, how can I bless that person who is seeking evil for me? How can I reach out to them with an olive branch, when they want to spit in my face? How can I be a blessing to them?

God is telling us here in verse 45, We are the Children of our Father in Heaven, we are to be a blessing to those who seek to do us harm. Right now His grace will be bestowed upon us, the evil and the righteous. This is the common grace, a blessing from the father! As we seek our enemy with Love, God in turn makes us a blessing to them, and also lavishes upon us with His eternal providence.

This is a powerful thing, that God, maker of all things is using us to reach the world, we don’t belong to our natural selves, we must shed that heart, and put on an eternal focus. Each action must be pure, not double minded. We are not to seek advancement, but seek humbleness.

Lord, you know my attackers, you know those who are my enemies, you know their hearts. I can’t do anything but rest on you alone for my strength. Give me the strength to bless them, when I’m attacked. Give me the strength to pray for them. Give me the ability to love them and do good works, doing all to your honor and glory.

Picture by Reid Zura