"Love Your Enemies”- "So Easy To Say!”

In Jesus Holy Name February 20, 2022

Luke 6:27

“Love Your Enemies”- “So Easy to Say!”

General Robert E. Lee was once asked his opinion of a fellow officer who was widely known as one of Lee’s greatest detractors. The general responded that he thought the man a very fine officer. “But General,” his questioner replied, quite perplexed, “I guess you don’t know what he’s been saying about you.” “Oh, yes I do,” replied Lee. “But I was asked my opinion of him, not his opinion of me.”

Bertrand Russell, a well known British philosopher wrote; “The Christian principle, Love your enemies is good. There is nothing to be said against it except that it is too difficult for most of us to practice sincerely.” (Divine Conspiracy p. 183)

In Luke 6, when Jesus said, “Love your enemies” and He immediately added, “Do good to them” so we wouldn’t miss the point. The world says: “Don’t waste time loving bad people.” God says, “Love them anyway.”

Why? If we don’t pray for our enemies, who will?

If we don’t pray for our enemies, how will they every change?

If we don’t pray for our enemies, how will we ever be free from bitterness?

Jesus knows bitterness will destroy your life. Hatred, constant dislike of another always leads to a bitterness in our attitude and makes us miserable.

Jesus said: “Love your enemies.” Easy to say, hard to do. Maybe it was for our sake.

John Stott in his book The Cross of Christ writes; “To live under the cross means that every aspect of the Christian life is shaped and colored by it. It enables us to develop a balanced self-image and directs our conduct to others, including our enemies. We are to “be imitators” of God and exhibit both love and justice.” Easy to say, hard to do.

Who are my enemies? Jesus is not talking about enemies on the other side of the world. He is talking about personal enemies who tend to be much closer to home. In fact, home is the first place to look for our enemies. Jesus said, “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). He mentions three close relationships that can go sour. (father against son, mother against daughter, mother- in- law against daughter- in- law)

We all know families who have not spoken to each other in years. They might not use the word enemy for a past family member but that is what they have become. How often do families end up in court and refusing to speak to each other. It could be a father and son, a mother and daughter, brothers and sisters.

In Luke 12 there is a clear example of enemies within a family. “Someone in the crowd said to Jesus. “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”Jesus replied. “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you? Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed” … and we might add, based on this beatitude, don’t become an enemy with your brother.

Jesus knows that people deeply hunger to be good but cannot find their way. How can we “do good”. The beatitudes not only call us to “love our enemies and do good to them” but calls us to be “peacemakers”. The instruction to be “peacemakers” is qualified by the words of Jesus when He added: “if it is possible”. (John Stott “The Cross of Jesus” p. 295) Sometimes it is impossible because he or she is unwilling to live at peace with us.

So how can we demonstrate heart felt love to those who would be happy if we dropped dead. 1) greet them with kind words. It will disarm them 2) refuse to speak evil of them. This is what General Lee refused to do. 3) Pray for them.

When Martin Niemoller, a German pastor, was arrested by the Nazis in World War II, he prayed daily from his prison cell for his captors. Other prisoners asked why he prayed for those who were his enemies. He said: “Do you know anyone who needs your prayers more than your enemies?” But what if you hate the person you are praying for? Tell that to the Lord. He won’t be surprised. Then say something like this, “Lord, I hate this person, but you already know that. I ask you to love this person through me because I can’t do it in my own power. I ask you for a love I don’t have and can’t begin to produce.” (from Keep Believing sermon Luke 6)

“Doing Good to an enemy” is never easy. When on the cross the Pharisees were hurling insults at Jesus ..He made no threats. (I Peter 2:22) Jesus could easily forgive those who were crucifying Him on the cross. “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” But He is Jesus. We are not. Yet Jesus calls us to be “perfect” and imitate Him.