On loving your enemies

I will admit this is one of those phrases that I really, really wish Jesus had never said. This is in Christianity where the rubber really meets the road! Because let's face it there are a lot of people at our work, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, and in our lives who really grate on us socially, emotionally, and sometimes even physically!

So, the question remains what is Jesus really asking us to do and why is he asking to do it? Well, I will begin by telling you this what Jesus is asking is not easy, but it's something if we really follow and take the words of Jesus seriously we have to do. One might be asking where exactly is this coming from? Well, I will say this Jesus doesn't address our need to love our enemies as much as he addresses our need to care for the poor, but he does say this very squeamish quote in a few places. One of the most notable is Luke 6:27-28, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

1) God desires all to be united. This is one of the driving principles of the Kingdom of Heaven and God's goal for all of human history. 2 Corinthians 5:19 states that God was and is reconciling the world to himself! That means everyone is being reconciled to God! To put it nice and simply, what God is doing is repairing and restoring all of human beings broken relationship to God. At the end of time, I am firmly convinced that God doesn't want anyone to be separate from God. Unity is important in the Kingdom of Heaven and likewise it should be just as important for us as well. It may not be easy at all for us to love and pray for our enemies, but as followers of Jesus that's what we're called to do.

2) We're called to look different than the world. Jesus said many times that we're called to love those who hate us and do good to those who won't be able to do good for us in return. The world expects you to hate your enemies. The world expects you to do good to those who can in turn, return the favor. What Jesus is saying: be different from the world. Let your shine, let people in the world see and claim, "There's something different about them!" It's not easy and sometimes the road is lonely, but it's what we as followers of Jesus need to do!

3) Finally, you may be asking yourselves how do I do this? Well, there's not a scientific formula or one size fits all model unfortunately. But, there is a crucial first step, and this where I hope you take this from here: we all can begin praying for our enemies. I just know there is someone in your life, in your family, at your work, or even in your neighborhood who needs prayer and God is tugging at the strings of your heart to speak kindly and graciously with them. My hope is that you today make a commitment and effort to love and reach out to the enemies in your life, not because it's easy or convenient, but because it's what Jesus would have you do.