Home » Culture & Society » Religion » Christianity

Loving Our Enemies

Ranked #9,525 in Culture & Society, #191,950 overall

Love My Enemies?

Those are hard words. But He who said it, also did it. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate love for us by letting us kill him. Before doing this, He taught us to love one another, even our enemies. Here is what He said:

Matthew 5:43-48

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Romans 5:8

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Wow... Let's try not to forget those words. Living these words out will, no doubt, continue to change the world.

The Passion of the Christ (Full Screen Edition)

Amazon Price: $5.98 (as of 02/16/2012)

The Passion of the Christ focuses on the last twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth's life. The film begins in the Garden of Olives where Jesus has gone to pray after the Last Supper. Jesus must resist the temptations of Satan. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot, Jesus is then arrested and taken within the city walls of Jerusalem where leaders of the Pharisees confront him with accusations of blasphemy and his trial results in a condemnation to death.

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

Today, the attitude of Cain toward his brother after killing him still shows it's ugly head in the attitudes of mankind. "Am I my brother's keeper?" He asked. Keep in mind that Abel had done everything right. And Cain's attitude toward Abel was that of jealousy because, unlike Abel, the LORD warned Cain that his attitude and actions needed serious improvement. I like the way God said it: "Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

But instead of humbly heeding the LORD's advise, Cain wronged his brother in the worst possible way: murder. And when the LORD asked Cain where Abel was, rather than taking responsibility for what he had done, Cain spit those deceitful words at God, as if God didn't already know what Cain had done. So, the obvious answer to Cain, and those of us who act like him, is: Yes... we ARE our brother's keeper. And, no, it is NOT okay to allow jealousy to boil within, or dislike others for doing good and pleasing God.

Had Cain not killed Abel, yet still remained jealous, try to picture the kind of strained relationship that might have existed between the two brothers.

Jealousy "murders" relationships. Can we feel jealousy toward others and at the same time take interest in their lives? No. We certainly don't wish the best for that person. In fact, we are tickled inside when they fail. We won't help them to succeed. In fact, we are more likely to interfere with their plans or discourage a person's plans if we are jealous. This is why jealousy is one of the things listed as a disqualifier for being heaven-bound in the scriptures:

Galatians 5:19-21

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Brother's Keeper CD

by: Rich Mullins

Amazon Price: $22.00 (as of 02/16/2012)

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, musician and poet, Rich Mullins' eighth project picks up where his Legacy left us on his previous release. Brother's Keeper features Rich's trademark hooks, melodies and deep ponderings, as evidenced by the title cut and 'Let Mercy Lead.' Titles are: Brother's Keeper * Let Mercy Lead * Hatching of a Heart * Promenade * Wounds of Love * Damascus Road * Song for Eli * Cry the Name * The Breaks * Quoting Deuteronomy to the Devil.

Vengeance

Romans 15:3

"For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.'"

Romans 12:19-21

"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

"Love Your Enemies": Jesus' Love Command in the Synoptic Gospels and in the Early Christian Paraenesis : A History of the Tradition and Interpretatio

by: John Piper

Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 02/16/2012)
Used Price: $24.96

Other lenses you might enjoy...

submit

Reply

CosmeticMom Oct 1, 2010 @ 12:49 pm | delete

I love how you back up your page with Scripture! This is perhaps the hardest thing for a Christian to do...love your enemies. I used to be confused that I had to like what my enemy did, but not true. Love the sinner, hate the sin was easier for me to grasp. I tend to be really slow sometimes. I see you like John Piper too!

Reply

MisterJeremy Sep 22, 2010 @ 5:07 am | delete

Beautiful lens. The little cartoon in a nice touch.

Reply

ajgodinho Jul 26, 2010 @ 10:39 pm | delete

Great lens on a great topic ~ this truth is very hard to receive and live by, but it's the right thing to do. We can't expect to love our enemies by walking in the flesh, but by the Spirit and so I pray that the Lord will give us the strength to do exactly that. God bless you! :)