Jesus called us to love, not because it is easy, but because it is essential. God is love. To know God is to know love. To grow in God is to grow in our expression of love. Sadly, when we champion truth, we frequently forget or reject the notion of genuinely loving our enemies. Too often we limit our love to individuals we think are deserving. However, when we limit the expression of God’s love, we demonstrate that we don’t begin to truly know love or know God. God’s love topples every effort towards religious favoritism. God’s love is not a reward for our good works. God’s love is an expression of his goodness. While we are sinners, he loves us. While we are enemies, he loves us. While we withhold our love, he pours out his love on all flesh. God is love and God loves us equally.
People love to champion truth. We love to point out the hypocrisies and failings of others. But we don’t love to genuinely love. At least when it comes to our enemies. Consternation under the guise of righteous anger seems so much more satisfying than genuine love. Even so, you can hide out in righteous anger for a season, but if you don’t learn to love your enemies, you’ll become a bitter reaction. They’ll know that your righteous crusade is not based on love. It will show and they will know that you do not love, nor want to love your enemies.
It is not a little thing to love while speaking the truth; it is, in fact, everything. If it is the ministry of Christ, it will be rooted in genuine love for both friends and enemies. Love loves every person, on every side. Love has one side, the side of love. The side that brings every person the good news of God’s love. Consequently, our greatest conflicts are our greatest opportunity to learn the immeasurable depths and power of God’s love. It takes courage to love in the midst of relational chaos. It is a brave thing to love those who do not love you. It is an expression of Christ in our midst. To love our enemies is to manifest the presence of Christ. To love our enemies is to testify of the power of the cross. A power that defeated the enemies of God through love.
We are called to love, not because it is easy, but because it is essential. When we love, we demonstrate that we are sons and daughters of the Most High. We demonstrate that there is room for more brothers and sisters in the house of God. We love our enemies with the sincere goal of someday becoming eternal friends. Love your enemies.
“People love to champion truth. We love to point out the hypocrisies and failings of others.”
You must be a carpenter. Cause you just nailed it.
Doug,
Good topic for us all as we wrestle with challenge of loving our “enemies” or those we are not on friendly terms with. It is difficult as a growing Christian to forgive those close to me who have hurt or betrayed me. I suspect I am not alone.
This includes family, cousins and friends I thought I could count on through both good times and bad. In my situation I have some old friends and cousins who have practically disappeared off the radar, despite my attempts to reach out and take an interest in their lives. The best man of my wedding, Chris, had a lame excuse for not coming to my mom’s funeral, among other occasions when he chose other activities. I reach out to him and his wife anyway and remember holidays and take an interest. The most I usually get after sending a card is either a one line text saying “thanks!” or “Thanks, hope you are well. Chris.”
Have others had old friends go MIA? It is baffling. Oh well. Life goes on and new friends can be made. I am in a men’s bible study, though we all never seem to get together beyond the hour and a half once a week for coffee or meal.
I will continue to be a beacon of light in our hurting world, despite being deeply hurt within the core of my heart myself. It is a mystery as to why so many people can be cruel and our world half checked out. On side note ( and another worthy topic ) I see people disconnected from one another and instead choosing to CONNECT with their electrical gadgets. It is very sad.
God bless,
John S.
Very good. And very timely. There is no season nor any circumstance in which we are not to love deeply. And yet, the difficult, even complicated, battle of our faith. “Love Well” is what comes to mind here.
Again great reminder. Thank you for sharing.
Much love.
Dan
Yesterday, I read this and it made me mad! I can’t or more like I don’t want to. Today, I have His peace and joy because He will lead me. He can, He has and He wanted to! Thank You Jesus for your forgiveness