Love Our Enemies

The Love of Enemies

The love of enemies is openly commanded by Christ.  He also taught it in parable.  It is found in the Psalms as well.  We must love our enemies if we are true Christians.

Matthew 5:43-48

You have heard that it has been said, “You shalt love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.”  But I say to you, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.  For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love them which love you, what reward have you?  Do not even the publicans the same?  And if you only salute your brothers, what do you more than others?  Do not even the publicans so?  Therefore be perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect.

Luke 6:27-36

But I say to you, who hear, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.  Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you.  He who smites you on the one cheek, offer also the other cheek.  He who takes away your cloak, forbid not to take your coat as well.  Give to every man who asks of you.  He who takes away your goods, ask not to return them.  As you would have men do to you, do you also to them.  For if you love those who love you, what thank have you?  For sinners also love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thank have you?  For sinners also do the same.  And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you?  For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  But love your enemies, do good, lend hoping for nothing in return, your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest.  For He is kind to the unthankful and the evil.  Therefore be merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 10:25-37

Behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  He said to him, What is written in the law?  How do you read it?  He answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind; and your neighbor as thyself.  He said unto him, You have answered correctly: this do, and you shall live.  But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, Who is my neighbor?  Jesus answered,

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half-dead.  By chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, went to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, gave them to the host, and said to him, Take care of him; and whatsoever you spend more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Which now of these three, think you, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?  He said, He that showed mercy on him.  Then said Jesus to him, You go and do likewise.

The whole point of the parable of the Good Samaritan is
not to love the victim, but
is to love the Samaritan, who is our natural enemy.

Psalm 35:11-15

False witnesses rose up.  They charged me with things that I neither did nor knew.  They rewarded me evil for good, even spoiling my soul.

But, as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth.  I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned to my own bosom.  I behaved myself as though they had been my friend or brother.  I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.

But in my adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together.  Yes, these wretches gathered themselves together against me, and I did not know it.  They tore me, and would not stop.

The Rest of Psalm 35

For those who have concluded that Christianity is for sissies and wimps, the remainder of Psalm 35 should be read. 
David prays and shows mercy to the wicked,
but he also looks to the Crucifixion of Christ for full reality. 
When the Father comes to avenge the death of His Son,
then the wicked will suddenly realize that
they should have followed David’s example of mercy..