March 14, 2026 -- Luke 6:27-28 -- Whatdja mean I gotta love my enemies?

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People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Luke 6:27-28 ESV
 
You are probably very familiar with these words. Especially if you have attended church for a long time. These are words that show up at over twenty-five places in the Bible. These are not just tucked away in an obscure place, this is the hard teaching through-out the Bible that requires you to stir up your soul from lethargy and your great complicity to the culture. To love your enemies is to put to death your easy hatred of the people groups and biases of the society which you live in. To love your enemies means you are actively praying for those people who oppose you. Urgently appealing to God for the very people who would put you in prison, if they had the power to do so. You are looking for ways to be kind to those who take every opportunity to undercut you, mock you, or worse.
 
Be honest, it is hard enough to love the people in your life who are part of your church or part of your social network. Many of you are in a bubble, surrounded by many Christians, or those who are Christian in name. Such people are part of your family. Or at your workplace. Or members of your sports team. There are over-bearing people. There are glory-hogs. There are self-interested people that you must see periodically because they’re married into your family. But these are not enemies. These are folks who are naturally part of your life’s circle of influence and people you are required to get along with.
 
Enemies are those foremost who hate Jesus, Who is the lover of your soul, your Savior. An enemy is someone who hates Jesus (though he might never use such strong language.) An enemy is seeking to be his own savior. Or find salvation in good works. Or in philosophy. Or in acquiring wealth. Or in philanthropy. Enemies are those who have both power and influence and are actively hating God. Since they can’t tweak God’s nose, they are actively hating His people. They would be shocked at your language and that you think of them in such a way.
 
How did God bring you to Himself? While you were still His enemy He sent Jesus into the world. While His own people acted as if He were a stranger, a usurper, Jesus served, offering up Himself in complete obedience to His Father, for a people who willing despised Him and crucified Him. It is too easy to say, “If I were there, I’d have acted differently.” Would you? Really? What about the times, like Peter, when someone asked you about your faith, and you didn’t have the time to answer. Or were embarrassed to answer? Or you didn’t want to get into an argument, so you soft-played your faith? Be honest. You were an active enemy and if you are truly a Christian, your past behavior embarrasses and pains you. Even now, you realize how weak you are in your faith and ready to defend yourself, lash out at others, or act in ways that are opposed to your confession.
 
Be humbled by the grace of God. Amazed at His patient, persistence in rescuing you. If God takes someone like you, and brings you to Himself through Jesus Christ, and guards you as His own through the power of the Holy Spirit (think of it, you can’t even stay faithful to God through your own merits or strength or faith! It is all God!) then how much more ought you to love your enemies with the glorious, urgent-prayer-filled-expectation, that perhaps one day they will join you in blessing our God and king?!
Faithful God, give me a holy hunger to

  • pray at every opportunity for those who hate Jesus and therefore hate me

  • speak no ill of those who are in government over me, but honour such men and women as those whom You’ve appointed to such positions

  • work for the good of those who would just as soon spit on me, ignoring the insult, knowing it is You, Jesus, Who I am serving.

Spirit of God, help me to examine all my motives, my impulses and reasons for acting so that I will be guarded in the purity of the righteousness that is mine in Christ.
Spirit of God, fill my heart and mind with the glorious salvation so richly lavished on me, a reluctant, unworthy, convert so that the breathlessly wonderful redemption that is mine in Christ will move me to fervently love Him, expressing this love in my love to neighbour and love to enemies.
Even as I am praying this, I am struggling. My rebellious heart and anxious mind wail, “But I can’t do this! It is too hard!” Calm my tremulous mind with the peace that passes understanding, the peace anchored in Jesus Himself, Who has placed me in the care of my Father in heaven, in Whose hand I am safe. No angel or demon, life or death, prosperity or poverty, prison or persecution can ever separate me from the love of God which is mine in Christ Jesus! Knowing this, propel me to live it. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/D_35IPrjzq8?si=A5vF-2lIcULZwQqz Jesus, Thank You
 

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