Loving our enemies is a counterintuitive thing. Our natural reaction is to react to their hurtful actions with anger. The last thing we want to do is be nice to them in any way. Maybe you've thought some of these arguments...
1. But I don’t want to love them.
Don’t think that, just because I’m writing this, I’ve mastered all my fears, bitter thoughts and insecurities. Far from it, I continue to press ahead toward that goal, sometimes one painful step at a time. I fall, but then I get back up; sometimes I fall more than I want to, but either way, I tend to get up stronger and keep on moving forward…..and I even try to love those whom I don’t want to love, just as Jesus loved me through His death on the cross.
2. But I don’t feel like loving them.
Love is not a feeling. Sometimes, you will feel nothing at all. But in those moments, your mind has to take control of your emotions; do the will of God even when it doesn’t feel like that’s what you want to do, and God will reward your faithfulness in time. He is, after all, a rewarder of everyone who follows him head on! So don’t base everything on feelings ---- for instance, if I stayed home every single time I didn’t feel like going to work, then I’d probably be homeless and on the streets, begging for my life right about now; mere feelings alone can only take you so far, and many times, you have to lead with your willpower instead.
3. But they’re mean.
The very people who tortured and murdered Jesus Christ were not exactly ‘nice’ in doing so, but even Jesus was seen praying for their forgiveness with His dying breath. Now, that should give you something to think about. And until your worst enemies start driving nails into your wrists, and whipping you mercilessly --- and even after that ---- don’t consider them “way too mean” for you to forgive.....
4. But they wouldn’t do the same for me.
We don’t necessarily know that. Though actions speak louder than words, we must still be careful not to make any presumptions about a person or judge them as only God Himself can take that ultimate position. And even if we were to be nice to them, time and time again ---- only to have them repeatedly spit in our face and never reciprocate the love ---- they will, just as we will, ultimately give their final account to God. Neither you nor they will be able to escape such a future moment in time, and God does take record of everything.
5. But they’re gonna “get away” with it (with what they did to me, with who they are to others, etc.)….
Maybe they will, and maybe they won’t, in this life. Either way, it all falls back to the last point just discussed above; in the end, no one really “gets away with” anything as all living human beings must give their final account to God. For both the good things done, and the bad, every male and female ever born will be brought to God to present an answer for each action committed. And do you want God to remember you as having not forgiven, when He Himself forgave you of so much? Also, those who crucified Christ eventually had to answer for it, so they never truly “got away with it”....their judgment has been merely delayed in order to give them time to repent ---- some, I imagine, did so just in the nick of time.
Final Thoughts on All This “Mumbo Jumbo” : Don’t Stress, Pray Instead, Give from the Heart, Love Unconditionally, Forgive, and Be So Much More in This Life….
So consider our proven advice the next time you find yourself in a “loving your enemies pickle”. And remember to look up: The Good Lord has an answer for everything. So worry about nothing, and pray about everything; you will find that perfect solution to meet your present need head on! Believe it, and you’ll receive it. All good things do come in time, and from the Father above, the true Giver of all gifts everywhere, the source from which every great blessing first finds its origin….
[Need some great ideas to get your school year “kicked off” in the right direction? Check out our latest stories you can read with your children, a place where you can find heartwarming adventures and wholesome values ---- not failing to bring some relatable moments to your day all along the way ---- helping you make the most of your time with your kids. They won't be young forever, so take advantage!]
Want More? Still Can’t Get Enough Here?
Visit us on Facebook!
See us in action on YouTube!
Tweet us on Twitter!
Link to our latest updates on LinkedIn!
Instantly view our updates on Instagram!