Should you love your enemy?

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” Matthew 5:43(KJV)

From our opening scripture today, we see that right from the time of Jesus, some persons have practiced loving their neighbour, and expressing hate for their enemy. But Jesus teaches us something else in Matthew 5:44, because He said, “…Love your enemies, …”

The love Jesus is referring to here is from the Greek word agapao; which is unconditional love. He is not referring to phileo which refers to being fond of someone. This is because you can not be fond of your enemy, who is working against you, or contrary to your well being.

Therefore, even if you are not expected to be fond of your enemy, or have a pleasant feeling towards them, because of the wrong things they have done against you, there is one thing that you owe them. You owe them unconditional love. Romans 13:8 God's Word translation puts it this way, “Pay your debts as they come due. However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other. The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses' Teachings.”

Do you know Jesus expressed love towards His enemies (those who tortured Him and afflicted Him with pain, and those who crucified Him), by forgiving them. The Bible says in Luke 23:33-34, “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” That is unconditional love(agapao) in expression.

Therefore, note that you have the capacity to express unconditional love towards all who have worked against you, or brought you pain in any way, because you are a child of God, so, you are a child of love, because God is love(agape).

PRAYER
Dear Father as your child, I choose to love as you love, therefore I let go of bitterness against all those who have offended me. I choose to forgive them and to love them as you do in Jesus Name. Amen.

For further study read:
Luke 6:27-36,
Romans 12:17-21, Proverbs 20:22, 1 Peter 3:9.

DOING THE WORD
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.