As a wife and mother who attends church several times a week; I have heard “love your enemies” and “love the unlovable” more times than I can count. I am under a pastor who not only preaches and teaches this, but also lives it in a very profound way. The problem comes in when anyone under the teaching of a pastor does not see the depth of the teachings of the Bible. When you “love your enemy (unlovable)” does that simply mean telling them “I love you” and tolerating them during a brief weekly encounter at church? I think not. So often I have heard from church members “I am going to love them because I need to make it to heaven.” Is that truly what Jesus meant by LOVE your enemies? Is tolerating someone and smiling at them really LOVING them? I believe He means to build a relationship with that person. Learn about that person and try and understand what it is that makes them so difficult to tolerate. Usually our “enemies” are people who have offended us in some way either by the way that they live their life or something they have said or done to us. Isn’t it more important to understand the pain our brothers and sisters are suffering that may make them so offensive? Is is not important to learn what we can do to help them along their walk with Jesus? Try truly LOVING the unlovable. Ask them how they are doing and wait on their answer. Make eye contact with them. You just be surprised what you don’t know about them.
“43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-48
