God does not address the existence of enemies but of the status of our hearts towards them.While we cannot always control our status (being unable to control another person’s hostility), we can control, by God’s grace, the motives from which we respond.Bible Reference - Matthew 5:43-44 “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.” (and Luke 6)
Reflection -
Jesus was talking during a time where the going philosophy was justice. Be kind to others but bitterness was fine. Anger and hatred towards oppressors was fine. Retribution was encouraged.
I love how Jesus clarifies this feeling. Notice how he does not say, “Folks, bury the pain and deny the injustice. Incorporate the evil-doers. Do not have enemies.” He does not deny the existence of enemies. He does not commission the removal of enemies (by offense as had been done when possible) or by kindly “burying the hatchet” and doing all in our power to change our enemy into a friend. Instead, he merely clarifies our duty and feelings toward them.
The position of “enemy” is not something we can change. We are not responsible for the relational outcome of a situation. We ARE however responsible before the Lord to our actions and behaviors in a relationship. We cannot control how people will respond. We can control our underlying motives and our position towards them under the Lord.
We cannot relationally operate from motives of hate. Webster defines hate as: to have a strong aversion to: find very distasteful: to express or feel extreme enmity or active hostility” ... “often coupled with enmity or malice”
Instead Jesus commands us to relationally operate from motives of love. Webster defines love as: “an affectionate concern for the well-being of others”.
This is difficult and nearly impossible at times. I think this is why Jesus commands us to do this in prayer. In praying for our enemies, we can regain (or learn) the perspective that God is in control. He will ultimately bring justice. We can rest in whatever our role is with our enemy trusting that the Lord will protect us and comfort us from their abuse.
We also need to be sure keep our relationship before the Lord to keep ourselves accountable. As we pray for our enemies before the Lord, he can help point ways we are sinful... keeping us from pride.
In prayer, conviction of human weakness and vulnerability may lead to an understanding and compassion for the enemy... helping to soften us and enabling us to love better and easier... not simply faking kindness. We won’t be arrogant claiming our own perfection in our own strength. It is important to realize our standing before God is by grace alone so it is with sadness we consider the state of our enemy.
This conviction may lead us to a realization that we have been perpetrators... creating or intensifying the relational rift. In prayer, the Lord can convict us of inappropriate ways we have responded to our enemies and give us the wisdom in how and what to change.
Also, in prayer we meet with the father of compassion... our wonderful counselor (Isaiah 9:6). He can supernaturally ease the pain and exacerbation of our inability to rectify all relationships on this earth. He can see the belief we have and help us with our lack of trust (Mark 9:24) in his choice to allow a rift or wrong.
Questions -
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” You will have enemies. Can you love them... looking out for their welfare? Can you live towards them openly communicating your actions and hurt before the Lord?
Prayer -
Lord, point out sinful actions on our part. Give us eyes to see them as more than “an object of pain” but as a 3-dimensional people with hurts and pasts and perspective of which we are not privy. Help us achieve reconciliation if possible but give us peace where their responses make that an impossibility. Guide us in boundaries and consequences that we have to impose... that they would be humbly done for both our benefits before you... not as vindictive judgements we are exacting for our own joy or relief. Keep us ever mindful that without your grace and hedge around us, we would be desperately lost and utterly hopeless and no better than our worst enemy. Help us live in thankful gratitude. Thank you Jesus that you have helped us this far. Continue to help and heal us!
