What Jesus Said About Loving Our Enemies
By: Alex Shipley on | Comments: 0As followers of Jesus, we’re called to live a life of love and forgiveness toward all people, including our enemies. It can be challenging to love those who have hurt us or treated us unfairly, but Jesus taught us to love and pray for our enemies.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus said, "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" (Matthew 5:43-45).This is a radical statement, and it challenges our natural inclination to seek revenge or hold a grudge. But Jesus asks us to rise above and not to become a slave to our emotions, but rather to respond with love instead.
When we choose to love our enemies, we are reflecting the character of God, who loves all people, regardless of their actions or beliefs (even when some may not love him in return). Jesus himself washed the feet of Judas, fed him, and taught him as he did his other disciples even though he knew Judas would one day betray him. As we follow Jesus' example, we become more like Him and are able to show His love to others, even to those we may not feel deserve it.
Loving our enemies also has practical benefits. It can lead to reconciliation and healing, both for ourselves and for those we have conflicts with. It can also break down barriers and promote understanding, creating opportunities for dialogue and peaceful resolution.But loving our enemies doesn’t mean condoning their actions or excusing their behavior. It means recognizing their humanity, that they were made in the image of God, and choosing to respond with compassion and forgiveness, even in the face of injustice or harm.
At GiveSendGo, we understand that learning to love our enemies isn’t an easy journey. As a faith-based freedom-loving crowdfunding platform, we’ve faced our fair share of criticism and opposition over the years. However, we choose to respond with kindness and respect, seeking to understand and address concerns in a positive manner. Our commitment to love and forgiveness is rooted in our faith in Jesus, and we strive to reflect His character in all that we do. We remain steadfast in our mission to help people come together in times of need and share the love and hope of Jesus with all who come our way.
So let’s obey and practice Jesus' call to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Let’s trust in His grace and mercy to guide us as we seek to follow His example of love and forgiveness in our daily lives.
Read more
In the book of Matthew, Jesus said, "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" (Matthew 5:43-45).This is a radical statement, and it challenges our natural inclination to seek revenge or hold a grudge. But Jesus asks us to rise above and not to become a slave to our emotions, but rather to respond with love instead.
When we choose to love our enemies, we are reflecting the character of God, who loves all people, regardless of their actions or beliefs (even when some may not love him in return). Jesus himself washed the feet of Judas, fed him, and taught him as he did his other disciples even though he knew Judas would one day betray him. As we follow Jesus' example, we become more like Him and are able to show His love to others, even to those we may not feel deserve it.
Loving our enemies also has practical benefits. It can lead to reconciliation and healing, both for ourselves and for those we have conflicts with. It can also break down barriers and promote understanding, creating opportunities for dialogue and peaceful resolution.But loving our enemies doesn’t mean condoning their actions or excusing their behavior. It means recognizing their humanity, that they were made in the image of God, and choosing to respond with compassion and forgiveness, even in the face of injustice or harm.
At GiveSendGo, we understand that learning to love our enemies isn’t an easy journey. As a faith-based freedom-loving crowdfunding platform, we’ve faced our fair share of criticism and opposition over the years. However, we choose to respond with kindness and respect, seeking to understand and address concerns in a positive manner. Our commitment to love and forgiveness is rooted in our faith in Jesus, and we strive to reflect His character in all that we do. We remain steadfast in our mission to help people come together in times of need and share the love and hope of Jesus with all who come our way.
So let’s obey and practice Jesus' call to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Let’s trust in His grace and mercy to guide us as we seek to follow His example of love and forgiveness in our daily lives.