![]() ![]() Later, after another discussion with the Pharisees, some of Jesus disciples came to Him and said, “do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” (Matt. At one time, Jesus told the Pharisees, “you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth” (John 8:41). Sometimes people respond positively, but often they respond negatively. Sometimes it is an act of love to point others to God by sharing the truth they need to hear, even if it exposes their sin and makes them feel uncomfortable. Yet, in love He also spoke perfect truth and rebuked the arrogant, even if they hated Him because of it. We are all naturally drawn to the pleasant things that Christ did such as healing the sick and feeding the hungry. These are but a few of the loving and good acts of Christ. Speaking divine Truth (John 1:14 14:6).Certainly the love and goodness He displayed to His enemies was never based on their worthiness. All that Jesus said and did was done in love towards others, as He was seeking their best interests. There is no greater example of love than Jesus Christ. We love them by praying for them, acting in a Christian manner and speaking God’s truth to them when given the opportunity. Loving our enemies means that we identify those who hate us, and perhaps mean to harm us and commit ourselves to seeking God’s best in their lives. We don’t have to approve of their false beliefs, sinful lifestyle, or cultural values, but we are commanded to love them. We don’t have to like our enemies to love them. If anything, we must love them by faith in spite of how we feel. Loving our enemies has little to do with how we feel. They only respond to the thoughts in my mind, and when I have thoughts of injustice-whether real or imagined-I get angry. My emotions cannot differentiate reality from fiction. Anger is the emotion that comes as a response to a perceived injustice, real or imagined. Though fictional, this image evokes emotion within me. I could then imagine this woman disposing of the baby’s body and then going on with her life and being successful and prosperous and never being caught or punished for the murder she committed. For example, I could sit in a room by myself and imagine an evil woman killing a helpless infant by strangling him to death. I can have an imaginary thought and experience a real emotion. Feelings simply respond to thought and action. ![]() It’s important to understand that God commands our mind and will, but never our emotions. The verb agapao is in the imperative mood, which means Jesus is commanding believers to love their enemies. The word love in Luke 6:27 is a translation of the Greek verb agapao. I can apply biblical love to everyone, whether it’s my spouse, my child, my brother, my coworker, or even my enemies. I don’t have to like a person to be committed to them and to seek their best interest according to God’s values. Biblical love is a commitment to seek God’s best interests in others. For many years I used to think I was supposed to have warm fuzzy feelings for my enemies. Worldly love is often couched in terms of affection or how I feel about someone. Biblical love and worldly love are different. As a Christian, I’ve often wrestled with the command to love my enemies. Jesus told His disciples to “love your enemies” and to “do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27).
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