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We've looked at how God loves us, how we should love God, how we should love our family, and how we should love fellow
believers, this week we look at loving our enemies. The first question that comes to my mind, is who is my enemy?
Is there anyone in my life that would want to harm me? I can't think of anyone right off hand, but
we've all had someone angry with us at one time or another. How are we to relate to these folks? Our study this
week will help us learn how to love our enemies.
 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you
on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you
and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go
one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away
from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love
your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons 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. 46
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do
that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:38-48 NIV
Who is my enemy? Is there anyone who I would consider my enemy? I can't think of anyone right offhand. I
like to think that most everyone I know likes me. But Jesus knows that we do have enemies. And we are to love
them, and pray for them. How can we? Only with God's help.
When we consider 'an eye for an eye', we must think "What is God really saying here?" In studying this verse, I
have learned that this law was to ensure that people didn't go 'too far' in retaliation for a wrong. If someone
wronged you, you could only retaliate in kind. No 'Hatfields and McCoys' allowed.
Now Jesus was telling his followers to go a step further. Don't retaliate at all. In fact, if someone hits
you on one cheek, let him hit you on the other cheek, too. If someone takes your shirt, give him your pants. In
other words, if someone is being mean to you, kill them with kindness. Wow, now that is hard! And
it is only by God loving THROUGH you that this can be accomplished.
Jesus goes on to explain that if you only are nice to your friends, or if you only love your family, how are you any
different than the rest of the world? Aren't Christians supposed to be different than the World? Aren't we supposed
to show love for all people. Hate the sin, love the sinner. And if we act just like the world, how are we different?
We are to strive for perfection, not because we are better than anyone else, but because GOD IS PERFECT. Being
a Child of God, we should try to be like our Father! I don't think I'll ever reach perfection this side of Glory, but
I am to strive for that perfection, becoming MORE CHRISTLIKE as I go.
THINK ABOUT IT
With whom do you need to exercise this priciple of loving your enemies?
Why would Jesus ask us to love and pray for our enemies?
How will you respond to this lesson?
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