Love Your Enemies

Last week we learned that:
Sin is conceived in the mind, cultivated in the heart, and carried out with the body.

One of the most difficult spiritual practices believers are called to do is to forgive.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Matthew 5:33-37

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”
Matthew 5:38-41

Have you ever sought revenge justifying it by saying an eye for an eye?

You need to hold onto your faith in order to let things go.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”
Romans 12:17

Break the cycle
Doing what is right may be the hard thing but it’s the right thing.

“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Matthew 5:42

Jesus’ statement presupposes that the person who asks for help has a genuine need.
You need to pray about it and give as the Holy Spirit leads you to.

“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 children 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 own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
Matthew 5:43-47

Have you every prayed for your enemies? If so, how often?

There are two reasons why we don’t want to pray for our enemies:
1. We dwell on anger because we get satisfaction from it.
2. We justify our anger thinking they deserve punishment.

Jesus closes this section with the admonition:
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48

Perfection in this instance means spiritual maturity because we are called to love people like Jesus.

What you need to do:
Give your anger and hate to God, and forgive and love your enemies. You will feel better. It doesn’t matter why you hate them, Jesus’ answer is the same. We need to love them, forgive them, and pray for your enemies. This is a very hard task and can seem impossible, but with the Holy Spirit’s help, you can accomplish it.