Love, Day 6

God’s Love Includes Love for Enemies

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Romans 5:10

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 5:43-48

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 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 is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

Luke 6:27-36

The radical new self-giving love that Jesus displayed also includes loving one’s enemies. God put enemy-love on display when He sent Jesus to die for sinners. Paul teaches in Romans that when we were sinners, we were actually enemies of God. Before finding new life in Christ, we were in opposition to God’s work in the world. Yet, even as His enemies, He loved us. God did not love because people deserved it or earned it. He loved because it was His choice. He loved so much that He sent His Son to die for His enemies. Jesus showed this love on the cross when He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34). At the very moment that He was suffering excruciating physical pain for the sins of the world, He acknowledged that His death was offered for the benefit of the very people who crucified Him. His love was so spectacular that He prayed for the benefit of His executioners. If we ever find ourselves in a moment of questioning God’s love for us because we are experiencing pain or trials in this life, we only need to look at the cross of Jesus Christ to see the extent of His great love for us.

In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, Jesus taught followers to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” God’s goodness in maintaining the earth is extended to all people—good and evil, just and unjust. In the same way, His followers are called to extend love even to those who oppose them. In the Luke account of the Sermon, Jesus taught to bless those who curse and pray for those who abuse. That kind of love is definitely countercultural in our day, as it must have been in first-century Israel. Pray for those who abuse you? But abuse is evil! Does Jesus seriously expect us to love and bless and pray for abusers? His teaching makes it clear that He does. Those who crucified Christ were certainly abusive toward Him. In both the Matthew and Luke accounts, Jesus taught that there will be reward for followers who practice this kind of enemy-love. And in both accounts, Jesus taught that this kind of love is evidence that we are sons of God.

Once again, this is not a natural kind of love. This is not love that we can muster up in our own hearts. This is not an emotional kind of love. This is the agape love that is the fruit of abiding in Jesus Christ. It extends to neighbors, brothers, and sisters in Christ, and even to enemies. Not only does it not retaliate for wrongs done, it continues to actively love those who have wronged. It gives and expects nothing back. And it looks very different from the love the world offers.

Action Step: Make a list of several people who have hurt you where the sting of the hurt is still felt. Keep the list private between yourself and God. Next to each name, write some action that you feel able to do for that person. For some, prayer may be all you can choose because the relationship may feel too distant for anything else. For others, you may feel that you can speak blessings into their lives. Just a simple word of encouragement may be a start. And for others still, you might be able to do something practical for their good. Giving a small gift or going out of your way to do a favor for them are possibilities. You may find that these small steps make a difference in your relationships, but they will almost certainly make a difference in your own heart.