Love Your Enemies
Every Christian knows the following teaching of Jesus, but let’s be honest, very few of us have much interest in actually doing that.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48
This passage is pretty straightforward. Regardless how others treat us, we are not to be unkind to them. Period. God expects us to be god-like in that regard. Does that mean God “likes,” enjoys or admires his enemies? Apparently not.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48
This passage is pretty straightforward. Regardless how others treat us, we are not to be unkind to them. Period. God expects us to be god-like in that regard. Does that mean God “likes,” enjoys or admires his enemies? Apparently not.
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