Loving Our Enemies

“I say to you who are listening, Continue to love your enemies, to do good to those hating you, to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting you.” 

- Luke 6:27,28

True followers of Jesus Christ, those who take his teachings to heart and imitate his paramount example in living a godly life, are often subject to ridicule, hatred, opposition and persecution, just as what Jesus himself experienced in the hands of his enemies. Their being set apart from worldly ways makes them "strangers" among mankind. Because of this, they are being misunderstood and misrepresented, which could eventually lead to their being hated, cursed, insulted and persecuted.

That is why their leader, Jesus Christ, told them the above statement.  He pointed out that his disciples should act lovingly toward those who show hostility to them. This includes doing good to those hating them by responding to their hostility with gracious actions, blessing those cursing them by speaking with them in a kind way, praying for those persecuting them with physical violence or other forms of insulting treatment.

By doing these things, they may be able to help their enemies or persecutors transform their hearts and attitudes to the effect that they will come to understand the standpoint and determination  of Jesus' followers and thus receive the favor and blessings of God himself. This is indeed a loving action toward one's enemies. 

Fighting Evil With the Good

"Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.” But, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good." 
- Romans 12:17-21

There would be no hatred and contention in the world if everyone would apply this Bible passage. True, it's quite hard to pass over a hurt or offense because of the emotional damage that it has done to us, but it's harder to let it linger in us. It becomes a heavy burden to carry, and that is really uncomfortable. Further, it may lead us to doing something that we would regret later. It's easier to let the offense pass and forgive the offender. It clears our mind and heart of any vexations and leaves us in peace. And it spares us from any trouble that might arise if we do something rashly.

So instead of taking revenge, it's wiser to leave the matter to the authorities, and the vengeance to God, to whom it belongs. Anyway, he is a God of justice who doesn't allow any injustice to go on. For our part, let's just keep on doing good to our fellows, even those who have offended us. By doing so, we will "heap fiery coals upon their heads", that is, we can melt their hardheartedness by continuously lavishing them with good deeds. In that way, we conquer evil with good.