Love your enemy, bless those who would curse you

In one of the most counter-cultural statements ever made, Jesus declares, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27).

These words are well known to us, and often times we view ourselves as mature for having memorized them.

But genuine maturity is seen not by what we know, but by the application of such knowledge.

This passage cuts across cultural norms found in every society. Jesus says in verses 32-34 that sinners love, do good, and lend to those who have treated them likewise.

We often treat others as they have treated us. When we feel slighted or offended, we tend to cut off the relationship or retaliate, exacting vengeance on our offenders.

While we are commanded to love God, to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies, we sometimes refuse to even love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Not so with Christ. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Furthermore, the Father is “kind to the ungrateful and the wicked” (Luke 6:35).

Definitively, God loved those who were opposed to him, and it was his kindness that led the believer to repentance.

Therefore, Jesus commands the attitude and action that he himself modeled.

He reveals the ethic of the kingdom of God, which cuts across the grain of human culture, showing the way that true humanity is lived out.

Furthermore, we are to see this ethic of ‘love for enemy’ as so beautiful, that we mimic and copy the Father in admiration.

Therefore, as his children, we are to become more and more like the true Son, who is the perfect image of the Father, one who’s love goes far beyond the parameters of the natural human culture around him, putting the love of God on full display … even love for one’s enemy.

Jeff Kuhn is pastor at Mountain Springs Church in Sandpoint. He can be reached at mscsandpoint.org or 208-255-5903.