The Hardest People To Love

Jesus tells us to love our enemies. Not an easy task for a prideful people. We want the people who cause us harm or do us wrong to receive a swift and just punishment. I don’t think that’s an inherently bad thing but we have a means for that punishment to be carried out. That being the justice system. I think that system is vital because it deals with the temporal problem and God deals with the spiritual problem. We aren’t to worry about the consequences.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

So an enemy is going to be someone that either we don’t like for some reason or they don’t like us for some reason. Jesus says love your enemies. There’s a sense of swallowing your pride here if you happen to dislike someone. Jesus says get over it. If someone mistreats you, do good to them. Show them the love of Christ.

Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Our ways are pleasing to the Lord when they line up with what he lays out for us in his word. When we have peace with God and our enemies that is ultimate peace.

Focusing on God in the midst of controversies is how we are to handle our enemies. Doing good to someone who dislikes you is an ultimate show of humility. Praying for them as well takes the burden off of you and fulfills your God given duty.