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LOVE YOUR ENEMIES: A BIBLICAL CONCEPT

by Dr Surya Kumar Daimari  
2/16/2024 / Christian Living

“Love your enemies”- is a commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ to his disciples which is very contrary to our human nature, or  which is very perversely inclined to disagree in a world we are living where hatred and enmity are rising above humanity.

“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”- is an old saying and a commandment given to the Israelites written in the Book of Exodus 21:23-27 that demands the principle of reciprocal justice, measure for measure. The idea is obvious, that people should be punished according to the way in which they offend. This is the principle or the philosophy  of our days – if someone hurts you, he should be hurt equally. This law is known as “Lex Talionis or the law of tit for tat, i.e., the law of retaliation (Leviticus 24:19, 20).

But Jesus has said it, “You have heard it was said, love your neighbor and hate your enemies”. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be the 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.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?”  Matthew 5:43-46.

The word “Neighbor” in the text is defined by the expression, “the children of my people”. In the Old Testament, according to the Jews, the term implies the meaning that a neighbor is related to the bond of nationality-ie., a fellow man , a compatriot. It’s a word that denotes complacency in the character- loving only the selective group of people- your family, your home neighbor, one who loves you expressing personal affection.

In the New Testament however, the meaning crosses the limitation of a moral obligation to a mere fellow country man but on a moral obligation to any people in need, may be an unknown person, or a stranger, a socially outcast man. The commandment of Jesus to love our neighbor as ourselves means that human love should be  divine, impartial having all men for its object.

But Jesus did not only say, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, but also, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

In today’s world we are living, the idea of loving our enemies is absolutely a stupid  thing . We have been witnessing what is happening in the middle east. Enemies are fighting each other, killing each other. It is just impossible for the world to obey what Jesus is commanding his people, “Love your enemies”. Because, hatred is pervading everywhere like a powerful spirit. Evil is rampant on the earth in everybody’s heart.

The very word, “enemy” comes from  the Latin word “inimicus” which simply means ‘not a friend’. This implies the meaning that enemies are opponents and may even confront us any time.

“Love your enemies”- The Greek word here denotes moral love- that speaks of benignant, compassionate outgoings of desire for the adversary’s good. It means that as human being or the children of God, we must have compassion for them and a good will. However, loving your enemies doesn’t mean approving  of their wrong conduct or evilous attitudes. It is praying with a loving heart for them for a great change of the heart still condemning the violence, lawlessness or sin. Among the deep polarization of our  day, it seems pretty hard to follow the instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ to love and pray for our enemies. It is easy to be human but it is always difficult to be humane. There is a vast difference between being a human and being humane. Being humane is a virtue of God that produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22) which are known as the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Being a human, we cannot just produce these fruits in our life.

But what is impossible for man, everything is possible with God. Loving an enemy is a supernatural act beyond human. It is  supernatural, because, it is an act of God Himself. No one can love and forgive an enemy unless he is born of God. The Bible says,

“…..Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” I John 4:7-10.

Imagine, how Jesus Christ demonstrated his love for us on that old rugged cross, and even those who were against him  and crucified him. Remember what he had said while hung on the cross, “…..Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. Luke 23:34. And this is true forgiveness. That’s the point from where the mercy will flow—flow from a heart that has been transferred by the love of God, the Holy Spirit. It is high time, we spread the Love Of God.

The example of Graham Staines in Orissa, India, is great—who was burnt down alive inside a car along with his two children- cut down by bows and arrows ! Why?

Yet, shortly after the sentencing of the killers, Mrs Glady Staines issued a statement saying that she had forgiven the killers and had no bitterness towards them.

I quote it from NDTV Correspondent, January 22, 2011

“Soon after the Supreme Court’s verdict that upheld the life sentence for the killers of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in Orissa in 1999, Mrs Glady Staines, wife of Graham Staines reacted to NDTV that “Forgiveness and the consequences of our wrong doings should not be mixed up-- because of forgiveness I hold no bitterness towards the persons who killed my family. Forgiveness brought healing which is needed everywhere from hatred and violence….”

What message does it send to the world ?

Name of the Author of this article: Dr. Surya Kumar Daimari, MA,M.Ed, PGDTE,D.Min.(Doctor of Ministry)
The author is a freelance writer.
Book published: The Names of the Believers in the Bible in Types and Symbols .
https://outskirtspress.com/thenamesofthebelieversinthebible

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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