Love Your Enemy
February 14, 2016//
Topics to Dig Into
“You
have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I
say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”
have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I
say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”
-Jesus Matthew 5:43-44
(NLT)
(NLT)
The media has pummeled us with red hearts, candy and
flowers since before Christmas trees were removed. Really! Romantic love is
easy and fun to express, but broader love doesn’t come as naturally.
flowers since before Christmas trees were removed. Really! Romantic love is
easy and fun to express, but broader love doesn’t come as naturally.
‘You have heard’, refers to Old Testament rules God
established in forming a nation of His people. One of the many ways God taught
them to be in community together was to not “seek revenge or bear a grudge
against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.” Neighbors were
fellow Jews. (Lev 19:18)
established in forming a nation of His people. One of the many ways God taught
them to be in community together was to not “seek revenge or bear a grudge
against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.” Neighbors were
fellow Jews. (Lev 19:18)
In contrast, God excludes from the community nations
that either attacked or withheld provision during the Israelites’ 40 years in
the wilderness. “Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them as long as you
live” ie hate your enemies (Deut 23:6).
that either attacked or withheld provision during the Israelites’ 40 years in
the wilderness. “Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them as long as you
live” ie hate your enemies (Deut 23:6).
In the radical Sermon on the Mount, Jesus flips many
accepted interpretations of Hebrew law on end, including “love your enemies”.
accepted interpretations of Hebrew law on end, including “love your enemies”.
Does
God change His mind?
God change His mind?
Do
God’s rules change with the times?
God’s rules change with the times?
The times were definitely changing. In the Old
Testament, God was molding a people set apart. In the New Testament, Jesus is
extending salvation to all people, including the dreaded enemy.
Testament, God was molding a people set apart. In the New Testament, Jesus is
extending salvation to all people, including the dreaded enemy.
The Jews now needed to express a loving attitude
toward non-Jews, even to the point of praying for their oppressors. What???? The Romans, arch enemy #1, were brutally crushing the Jews both
financially and physically. Praying for this bitter adversary would be
extremely challenging, not to mention unpleasant.
toward non-Jews, even to the point of praying for their oppressors. What???? The Romans, arch enemy #1, were brutally crushing the Jews both
financially and physically. Praying for this bitter adversary would be
extremely challenging, not to mention unpleasant.
But Jesus commands us to love. Period. All people. Friends and enemies.
Who do you need to treat more lovingly? Will you
pray for them?
pray for them?
#SeedsofScripture
#LoveYourEnemy
#LoveYourEnemy
1 Comment
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Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
Great post, Cathy. I believe the definition of the word love is what trips people up when it comes to loving our enemy. It confused me at first until someone explained it to me. "You don't have to have warm feelings for your abuser. You don't even have to communicate with him. However, you don't wish him ill will and you pray for him" That gave me a clearer definition. Thanks for posting, my friend.