Love Your Enemies 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. (Luke 6:27-31 ESV)
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. (Luke 6:32-34 ESV)
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. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (Luke 6:35-37 ESV) This is the Word of the Lord - Amen
What is an enemy?
An enemy is not someone: 1.Who does not like one (or any) of our Instagram posts. 2.Who is jealous/ envious/ or resentful of our successes (small). 3.Who simply does not like us, because of perceived personality conflicts.
As long as we continue to live as if we are what we do, what we have, and what other people think about us, we will remain filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain addicted to putting people and things in their "right" place. + Henri Nouwen
Emphasis: Enemies are not friends that tell us the truth with love and kindness.
Some of the best wounds we will ever receive in life will be from our true friends.
Proverbs 27:6 English Standard Version (ESV) 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people. G.K. Chesterton
Desperately wanting the approval of others and then getting angry at them when they don t give it- isn t making enemies it s a sign of our need to grow in the gospel.
You make enemies as a result of character (following Christ).
But, how and why?
Where do you take your cues from? Scripture or from culture
Inclusive vs. exclusive #squad vs. community
Galatians 2:20-21 The Message (MSG) I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not mine, but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
2. Developing a value system for redeeming character.
Since it is so likely that (children) will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker. + C.S. Lewis
We need redemptive story telling, but first we must have a redemptive nature.
Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them.
And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies. - Martin Luther King
Romans 12:18-19 The Message (MSG) 17-19 Don t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don t insist on getting even; that s not for you to do. I ll do the judging, says God. I ll take care of it.