Why Love Our Enemies

Prelude

Christians are to love their enemies. Purpose: What does that mean? Plan: Let’s examine what Jesus says in Luke 6:27-38.

Do Good, Bless, Pray

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28 NKJV)

Jesus mentions three ways to love an enemy: do good, bless and pray. What about personal vengeance?

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men… Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17, 19-21 NKJV)

We are not to take personal vengeance, but must leave that to God’s judgment. He may not think the person did wrong, but that WE were wrong, so leave it to His judgment. The opposite of vengeance is giving food and drink to a needy enemy.

In the Hebrew Scriptures we read:

“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.” (Exodus 23:4 NKJV)

“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink” (Proverbs 25:21 NKJV).

How do we pray for those who mistreat us? On the cross, Jesus prayed for His murderers.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34b NKJV)

Do we pray for bad drivers on the road, illegal immigrants, scam callers, difficult family members and corrupt politicians?

The Other Cheek, Shirt, Give

“To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.” (Luke 6:29-30 NKJV)

We are to offer the other cheek, the shirt off our back, to give and not demand back. Is this hyperbolic? How literally did Jesus offer the other cheek? Was He passive? He asked a rather pointed question.

“If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” (John 18:22-23 NKJV)

How did Paul respond in similar circumstances? He was rather blunt.

“Then Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?’ ” (Acts 23:3 NKJV)

The point is that Jesus emphasized suffering over vengeance, because a vengeful spirit only destroys us.

By saying, “Give to everyone who asks of you” Jesus emphasizes giving over stinginess. Jesus said, give to everyONE, not give everyTHING. Giving everyTHING will often only perpetuate the curse of dependency, and the most important giving may be encouragement to stand on one’s own feet.

Do Unto Others

“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:31-32 NKJV)

God mercifully provides rain even for sinners.

[W. Robertson Nicoll. The Expositor's Greek Testament. D. D. Mead and Co. 1897.]

Be Like God

“And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” (Luke 6:33 NKJV)

Macedonian Bishop Theophylact asked, “If you only love them that love you, you are only like the sinners and heathen; but if you love those who do evil to you, you are like to God; which therefore will you choose, to be like sinners or like God?” [Joseph Benson. Benson's Commentary - The New Testament. New-York: T. Mason & G. Lane. 1839.]

Kindness

“And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” (Luke 6:34-35 NKJV)

Ancient Israel was required to lend to nationals without interest. They could, however, ask for interest from foreigners. Here Jesus goes beyond lending with interest or usury, to lending without even expecting the principle to be returned. How? Because we lend mercifully, fully prepared that circumstances may prevent a return.