Love Your Enemies

Loving Your Enemies

Introduction

I want to start today by telling you an unbelievable story from World War II. An American bomber pilot named Charlie Brown, was flying a heavily damaged plane back to base. He and his crew had come under attack and were barely alive and were struggling to make it home… A German fighter pilot, Franz Stigler, approached them and Brown and his crew expected the worst. But instead of finishing them off, Stigler saw the desperate state they were in and chose mercy over destruction, he escorted the bomber out of enemy territory and with a salute, he let them go. Years later, the two men met again and became friends who were bonded by an act of mercy in the middle of a war.

This is exactly what Jesus commands us to do… love in a way that goes against human nature. But how do we do that? Let’s turn to Luke 6:27-36 and find out”

I. We are called to Love (Luke 6:27-28)

Jesus doesn’t say if you have enemies… He draws on the assumption that you will have enemies and people who are against you. And I must admit His command is a little hard to swallow, this is what He says:

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

He isn’t just telling us to avoid retaliation… Jesus is telling us to do good instead of seeking revenge, He’s telling us to speak blessings instead of insults, and to pray for those who do us wrong.

Loving our enemies means that we will refuse to let hatred take root in our hearts. It means that we will recognize that even those who harm us are still people made in the image of God... This kind of love requires a supernatural strength that can come only from walking closely with Jesus, and when we choose to love, well, that’s when we truly reflect the character of Christ.

Corrie ten Boom, was a Holocaust survivor… One time she encountered a guard from the concentration camp where her sister had died. This guard had repented, and he asked her to forgive him for what he had done. Every part of her resisted, but she remembered the command from Jesus and, through God’s strength, extended her hand in forgiveness... Brothers & Sisters, Love is not a feeling … Love is a choice.

If anybody has ever wronged you, Jesus isn’t asking you if you feel like loving them…He’s commanding you to act in love.

He says pray for them, forgive them… Love them.

II. We are Called to Radical Kindness (Luke 6:29-31) “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also…”

The world says, “Get even,” but Jesus says, “Give grace.” It’s not weakness to extend grace … it’s breaking the cycle of retaliation. Instead of responding in kind, we respond with kindness.

Radical kindness means loving beyond what’s convenient. It means stepping outside of our comfort zones to extend grace to those that we think might not deserve it. Unexpected kindness leaves a powerful impact… it reveals God’s love in a tangible way. It isn’t about being passive, it’s about demonstrating a strength that comes from the confidence we have in God’s justice.

Who is the hardest person in your life to love? What if God is calling you to take the first step of kindness? Will you do it? Would you extend the hand of forgiveness or offer help even when it was undeserved? Small acts of kindness can transform relationships…

III. The Reward of Mercy (Luke 6:32-36) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Jesus reminds us that loving those who love us is easy. But true Christlike love is loving even when it costs us something. Because that’s how God loves us.

Loving our enemies brings a greater reward than worldly success … it draws us closer to the heart of God. When we show mercy, we demonstrate that we truly understand the mercy we have received. This love that we are called to extend to others shows the transforming power of the gospel. Mercy is what shifts our focus from bitterness to gratitude, from revenge to redemption.

As Jesus hung on the cross, He didn’t curse His enemies—He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” That’s the kind of love we are called to reflect. If Jesus, in His suffering, could show mercy to those who crucified Him, can’t we do the same in our daily lives?

When we love like Jesus, we reveal God’s heart to the world. Is their someone you need to forgive today? Maybe it’s a family member, or a co- worker , maybe you need to forgive yourself…