By COGwriter
People who are familiair with Jesus' words on what is known as the 'Sermon on the Mount' realize that Jesus said to love our enemies.
How can you do that?
Why did Jesus say you should do that?
Could your enemies be better than you?
On of the seven items listed as part of the Mission in the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God is as follows:
To teach that Christians should be led by the Holy Spirit and pursue love, mercy, judgment, faith, justice, and the other gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:1-14:1; Matthew 23:23; Galatians 5:22-25;
This message relates to pursuing several of the above.
Here is a link to a related sermon: Mercy: Loving your enemies.
On the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said:
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)
So, notice that Christians are to be more loving than those of the world.
Notice that Christians are to be perfect even as the Father in heaven is perfect, and Jesus said that in relation to loving one's enemies.
Now, this is not just in the Bible once, but is somewhat repeated in Luke's account with a little different emphasis:
27 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:27-36).
Notice that not only are you to love your enemies, you are to do good to your enemies.
Furthermore, since we all need God's mercy, we as Christians are to be merciful.
That said, I do not believe I have ever heard a sermon in any of the COGs I ever attended where the main topic was to love your enemies. While that expression was used in some sermons, it was not the focus of any I recall. And while in the CCOG we have put out messages on mercy and forgiveness, it seemed like one more focused on loving enemies should be done, hence this article.
Now, the old Worldwide Church of God put out something that it called The Symbols of the Bible. For the number 7, it simply had the word "Completion."
There were seven days, including the Sabbath for the recreation of earth (Genesis 1-2). There are seven days of unleavened bread, and we are to strive to be completely free of sin throughout those days as well as to end those closer to perfection.
Improving your attitude towards enemies should be something that happens as you listen to sermons and other messages each Sabbath as well as going through the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Consider:
6 ... Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)
A little hate of others is not good.
We are to drop malice--Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines malice as:
desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another
Harboring hate or bitterness is consistent with wanting to at least distress another.
The Apostle James wrote:
11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:11-18)
Christians are to be peacemakers, which Jesus called blessed in Matthew 5:9.
Consider that the Apostle Peter told Simon Magus:
22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." (Acts 8:22-23)
We, too, need to repent of various thoughts of our heart. As Christians we are to be "bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5)--and that includes bad thoughts about enemies.
What if your enemies are overwhelming you? The Psalmist King David said to pray to God:
1 I will love You, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:1-3)
14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. 16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake. (Psalm 33:14-16)
Yes, you can, and often should, pray to God for help. You can also ask God on how to best love your enemies. We also have a free booklet: Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?
The Apostle Paul wrote:
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; (Hebrews 12:14-15)
Pursue peace with all includes enemies. Notice that if you want to "see the Lord," that is something you must strive to do. We do not want to "fall short of the grace of God" and having "any root of bitterness springing up."
Furtermore, consider that having any root of bitterness is consistent with a little leaven which can leaven the whole lump.
In the case of Simon Magus, post-New Testament reports suggest he turned away from the truth and spread his false doctrines, many of which many who profess Christianity still hold to today (see Simon Magus, What Did He Teach?).
Do not tolerate hating your neighbor. We must all strive to love our neighbors, do good, and not harbor hate towards them.
Do not think you cannot be overcome by the root of bitterness.
Notice an incident between David and his oldest brother:
22 And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. 23 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. 25 So the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father's house exemption from taxes in Israel."
26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him."
28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle."
29 And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?" (1 Samuel 17:22-30)
David was falsely accused and wrongly judged because his brother made a conclusion based upon HIS view of his brother and the circumstances.
Many are falsely accused and wrongly judged. Do not think that you do not make similar mistakes.
Similar to those in the world, God's people often judge by outward appearance. But God sees past that.
Notice what happened related to the sons of Jesse:
4 So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, "Do you come peaceably?"
5 And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before Him!"
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one." 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the Lord chosen this one." 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these." 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep."
And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here." 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!" (1 Samuel 16:4-12)
You do not really see people for what they are, but instead how they look and some of how they act.
Notice some of what the New Testament says about King David:
20 "After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.' (Acts 13:20-22)
David was a man after God's heart and would do God's will.
Yet, one of the things he was criticized by men for was loving his enemies in 2 Samuel 19:6.
You have been an enemy to God according to the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote:
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (Romans 5:6-11)
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Related to the above and doing good for His enemies, Jesus said:
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)
God offers us mercy through Jesus. But notice also the following condition according to Jesus:
14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
The Apostle James added:
13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)
God is willing to forgive you as an enemy, do good to you, and love you. You are to do likewise.
Our God is most merciful:
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. (Psalm 103:8)
Mercy mirrors God’s very character. God is truly a forgiving Father. We have to be His merciful and forgiving children.
How long will God's mercy last?
34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
41 times the NKJV has the expression, "His mercy endures forever." Shouldn't you, a recipient of that mercy, show mercy to your enemies?
Perhaps it also should also be mentioned that the NKJV Bible has the word mercy 282 times, mercies 38 times, merciful 39 times, forgive 53 times, forgivers twice, forgiving 4 times, and forgiveness 8 times. So a total of 426 times. Mercy and forgiveness are important to God and He wants you to know that, which is why His word teaches about them.
Even many secular people wonder:
How do you forgive someone who isn’t all that sorry, or who you can’t actually engage with?
To answer this question, Vox spoke to two experts: Robert Enright, a professor of education psychology at the University of Wisconsin Madison and a leader in the scientific study of forgiveness, and Laura Davis, the author of several books about estrangement and reconciliation, … Enright and Davis say that forgiving someone who is unrepentant is absolutely possible; here’s how to approach it.
Expand your view of what forgiveness is
In some ways, it’s easier to define forgiveness by what it isn’t. “Forgiveness is not excusing what the other did; that behavior was wrong, is wrong, and will always be wrong,” Enright says.
Both Enright and Davis say that forgiveness exists separately from reconciliation, and also from accountability — which is why forgiving someone doesn’t require an apology or even their participation. “Reconciliation is a negotiation strategy between two or more people trying to make their way back together to mutual trust,” explains Enright, whereas forgiveness is a one-way endeavor. Put another way: Forgiveness might be a step on the path to reconciliation, but you don’t have to traverse the full route if you’d prefer not to.
Enright also points out that while forgiveness is separate from accountability, it’s not at odds with seeking justice. “Many people think it’s either/or, rather than both,” he says. Forgiving someone can help you take a more clear-eyed approach to justice because you’re no longer, as he put it, “seething with rage.”
Perhaps most importantly, forgiveness doesn’t require you to pretend the hurt didn’t happen, to forgive and forget, or to ever speak to the person again. “When you forgive someone, it doesn’t mean you have to have any kind of ongoing relationship with them,” Davis says. “It’s an internal shift, where you’re no longer carrying the wound in the same way.”
Enright defines forgiveness as a moral virtue. Moral virtues (like kindness, honesty, and patience) are typically focused on how they benefit others; these are things you do primarily for another person’s sake, regardless of whether or not they have “earned” it.
“Forgiveness is a special kind of moral virtue that always and without exception occurs when the other person has been unfair to you,” Enright says. …
“Forgiveness is my safety valve against the kind of toxic anger that could kill me,” Enright says. “Waiting for the apology is to misunderstand your free will, and it’s to misunderstand the medicine that is forgiveness, that you should be able to take freely, whatever you want.” …
Enright says it’s reasonable to want to tend to your anger when someone has hurt you. “You can hang on to anger for a short time because it shows you’re a person of worth and dignity, and no one should treat you this way,” he says. “But then my question would be, if you hang on to that anger, what is it doing to you? Yes, it will empower you for a while. But characteristically over time, it brings us down with fatigue, rumination, becoming far more pessimistic in life.” https://www.vox.com/22967752/how-to-forgive-someone-who-isnt-sorry-wont-apologize
Yes, it is good for us to be merciful and forgiving:
17 The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. (Proverbs 11:17)
In Matthew 18:7, Jesus said “offenses must come” so we should expect to be offended.
Now let’s look at some scriptural quotes related to what Jesus, Paul, Peter, and James taught related to mercy and forgiveness.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
4 … God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us (Ephesians 2:4)
Notice that love and mercy are tied together. If you want to develop love towards others as the Bible teaches, you need to be merciful.
Paul also told the Collossians:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (Colossians 3:12-14)
Yes, love and forgive. Yet many, including Christians, do not want to do that.
To be a true Christian, we need to be forgiven as well as forgive.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Our God is a merciful God.
Leaven puffs up, but Christians should not puff themselves up:
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
"Love suffers long" so yes, you may have to suffer and may still be suffering from something someone did to you. But show love and forgive.
Consider also that you have almost certainly offended people you have not apologized to, and perhaps, even unknowingly, harmed others.
Jesus also taught:
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
Notice that this promise does not teach that the unmerciful will obtain mercy. If you hate your enemy you are not showing him/her mercy.
Since, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)--including YOU and I, we all need mercy.
Jesus also taught:
23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law--justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. (Matthew 23:23, New Living Translation)
Mercy is important and many people who think they are worshipping God have wrong priorities.
Consider the following related to Mary's then fiancé Joseph:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:18-21)
Now, if Joseph was not a just man, but a bitter or hateful person, he could have made Mary a public example and enemy. He, then, would have been remembered throughout history as the one who faulted Mary and did not believe what she said the angel Gabriel told her. Instead, Joseph is remembered as a "just man."
How might you wish to be remembered?
The Apostle Paul wrote:
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14-21)
Understand that you are not to seek vengeance, that is God's job. Do not think you should not pray for your enemies as a way to punish them. By not loving your enemies you are hurting yourself.
God will punish the wicked:
2 God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; The Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. (Nahum 1:2-3)
As Jesus said, "Have faith in God" (Mark 11:22).
One concern many have is that it looks like those with bad behaviour are "getting away with it."
Yet, the Bible clearly teaches:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:7-10)
While it may seem that your enemies are getting away with their bad behaviour, they are not.
Furthermore, they will be judged:
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now
"If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:17-19)
So, while we are under judgment now, others will be later. Consider also:
11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
14 There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 8:11-14)
Yes, it sometimes seems like the wicked are getting away with their ways, but, "I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God."
Now, let me add that there is a particular man who left us and writes and posts bad things about me, others in the CCOG, and against the CCOG itself. He has essentially declared and marked himself an enemy of the CCOG. Yet, months after he began to do such, he contacted me asking for help on a matter. And I did help him. Did he stop his bad ways against me and others? No. But one day I believe God will bring this to his remembrance, either in this age (if he ever was truly a Christian) or in the age to come (particularly if he was not really a Christian now). God will also do this to those you pray for and do good for as well.
Consider that:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Yes, this includes how you have been impacted by your enemies as well as if you will handle matters as God wants you to.
The Apostle Paul was inspired to write:
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-4)
Do you know that some you do not care for could be your boss in the Kingdom of God?
30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Matthew 19:27)
26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"
27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
28 Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."
29 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time — houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions — and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Mark 10:26-31)
23 And He said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' 26 then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.' 27 But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last." (Luke 13:23-30)
Those who are called now could end up being last if they do not love their enemies as they should.
Do not think that you have been called now because you are better than others. Some who you have not cared for may well end up being ahead of you in the age to come.
Notice something else that the Apostle Paul was inspired to write:
19 For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:19-31)
Consider that being called now does not indicate superiority.
We were God's enemies when we were called.
We were not called now because we are better than the other enemies of God, but because God knew we could succeed.
And yes, if you do things God's way, you will spiritually succeed:
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6)
Do not give up.
You may think loving your enemies is impossible, but with God's help it is not. Consider that the Apostle Paul wrote:
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Do you think that is just for the Apostle Paul?
No, it includes you as Jesus said about things that appear impossible:
27 "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27)
Yes, you can forgive and love your enemies.
It may not seem fair that we have such difficulties.
Sometimes we will be cheated:
7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated. ( Corinthians 6:7)
David wrote:
4 Those who hate me without a cause
Are more than the hairs of my head;
They are mighty who would destroy me,
Being my enemies wrongfully;
Though I have stolen nothing,
I still must restore it. (Psalm 69:4)
The prophet Jeremiah wrote:
52 My enemies without cause
Hunted me down like a bird.
53 They silenced my life in the pit
And threw stones at me. (Lamentations 3:52-53)
Jesus said:
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)
Though some of this is difficult, please understand that God is fairer than we deserve:
13 You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such deliverance as this (Ezra 9:13)
6 ... Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves. (Job 11:6)
Yes, you are being punished less than you deserve, so why do you worry about the punishment of others? As the Apostle Paul wrote:
4 Who are you to judge another's servant? (Romans 14:4)
You may think you are perfectly qualified to make that judgment, but you are likely to be wrong.
Notice that God says that though some disagree, that His ways are fair:
25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? 26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. 27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. 28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair?
30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord GOD. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live! (Ezekiel 18:25-32)
Jesus stated:
1 Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)
If you hate your enemy and will not love your enemy, you are judging at least something wrong.
Notice that Jesus pointed out that many people think they see minor problems with others, while they overlook major problems that they have.
Notice something else that Jesus said:
8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me. (Matthew 15:8)
God's heart loves His enemies--He understands that they are fallible. We need to realize that all are fallible, subject to Satan, false traditions, bad habits, and the pulls of the flesh, but that God can help change them too--perhaps in this age, and, for most, more directly in the age to come.
You, however, do not need to wait until the age to come. Jesus taught:
31... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
Those who know the truth should know better--hopefully you are among them.
Furthermore, consider that you may have some of the negative traits that your enemies have. Consider also that various circumstances could have changed you. If God had not called you, maybe you would have gotten addicted to drugs or became an alcoholic. Or maybe if you lost a job or a loved one or were attacked in certain ways, or others things, you could have the same traits that your enemies have. There is an old expression in English which is "there for the grace of God goes me," meaning that since you are human it is possible that you could have become like those you may hate.
Remember that we are all human beings subject to lusts and failures.
Also understand he fact is that God knows more than we do:
7 "Can you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
8 They are higher than heaven — what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol — what can you know? (Job 11:7-8)6 Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.
9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-9)
Yet, notice also:
25 Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? (Genesis 18:25)
But how can it be right when people murder, steal, commit adultery, lie about us, etc.?
Well, God, better than any human, knows how one's genetics and one's environment have affected each person. Psychologists have long debated how what they call nature vs. nurture on one's actions. But God knows that--and that it is probably different for every person.
God also knows how much Satan and his demons have affected individuals as well.
Remember, even for those who killed Him, Jesus prayed saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Now, you may think that obviously they knew what they were doing, but Jesus knew that they were blinded by Satan and other factors and God allowed that:
40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” (John 12:40)
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
There is a certain blindness on people in the world and God understands that better than any of us.
And speaking of blindness, consider the following:
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:9-11)
Yes, you are to love and not hate your brother--that includes your enemies. Don't let hate blind you!
While many things may not appear fair to us, God's ways are right:
9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9)
Believe God and that His ways truly are right.
In April of 2024, while putting together the first draft of this article, someone asked me if God knows the future. Based on the following, I said yes:
9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ 11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. (Isaiah 46:9-11)
The person then asked me, "If that is the case, why did God not stop people like Adolf Hitler?"
I responded that if God stopped such then people would conclude that humans are not so bad and do not need to do things God's ways.
I reminded him that in Genesis 1:31 the Bible states, "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good." Hence humans started out with Paradise and all that they need. Yet they rebelled and sinned.
And that about six thousand years after that, Jesus warned of a time in Matthew 24:22 that, "unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened."
Planet earth would get to the point that it is basically destroyed.
Yet, in contrast to that, after Jesus returns with the first resurrection and establishes the millennial Kingdom of God, by the end of that 1,000 years the earth will be a Paradise once again.
I also mentioned to him that death is not so bad to God as many humans see it. And that God does have some limits on human pain. That is not to justify rape or torture, etc., but that God knows what He is doing allowing humans to live as they do. As far as physical death goes, Jesus taught:
4 And I say to you, my friends, do not be afraid of those killing the body, and after these things are not having anything more to do; 5 but I will show to you whom you may fear: fear Him who, after the killing, is having authority to cast into Gehenna; yes, I say to you, fear Him. (Luke 12:4-5, LSV)
Physical death fits into the plan for humans, but God is focused on preventing death in Gehenna fire, but instead on granting eternal life.
I reminded him that after those not called and faithful in this age will be part of the second resurrection, will rise up and see the Paradise, as well as learn how bad the earth got under Satan's sway.
I also reminded him that since God is love, wise, all knowing, and all powerful, surely He came up with a plan of salvation that will work for the vast majority (probably exceeding 99.9% of humanity) will accept Him and His way.
And that all that do accept God will be able to give love in a unique way in order to make eternity better for themselves and everyone else. Now, that also means that perhaps all (or close to all) of those who are or may be your enemies will accept God's offer of salvation and make YOUR eternity better!
Understand that God made everyone else, including your enemies, so they can help influence your life in this age to aid in your character development. But remember that God also made everyone else who will accept His offer of salvation, in order for them to be able to give love in their unique ways in order to make eternity better for you and all of them personally.
Yes, you should pray for them and love them, because perhaps all of them will ultimately truly love and serve you.
Satan does not want you to love your enemies. He would prefer that you hate them. Consider the following about Satan from Jesus:
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. (John 8:44)
Satan would prefer you deceived as well as dead, He hates you and wants to encourage more hate.
The Bible, instead, teaches:
17 'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:17-18)
Notice that God's people are to love and not even bear a grudge.
Christians are called out of hate as the Apostle Paul was inspired to write:
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (Titus 3:3-8)
God's people are to hate evil and love what is goodl:
15 Hate evil, love good; (Amos 5:15)
And it is good to love our enemies, while we can hate evil that is in the world.
Now, consider that the Bible also warns:
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him. (Proverbs 24:17-18)
God wants you to love your enemies, not rejoice in their downfall. And yes, that can be hard to do. When you find out that an enemy is falling, pray that God's will will be done and that the person will learn what God wants them to learn during their time of difficulty.
As far as whether or not it is easy to love your enemies, the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God taught in a sermon:
Jesus put a magnifying glass on the Ten Commandments, on the Law of God ...
Then He said, "You have heard it said," and He's quoting here from some of the Old Testament teaching. ...
"Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy." And He quotes that from Leviticus 19 and verse 18 and from, well, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" is Leviticus 19:18 and then from Deuteronomy 23:6 and 25:19 and "hate your enemy."
"But I say unto you, love your enemies..." Oh, but surely we're not to that are we? Now, that wouldn't be practical would it? People today don't believe that. People today don't do these things. Why, people today don't believe we should obey God's Law and keep it. People today don't magnify the Ten Commandments and obey them. People today don't believe in loving their enemies and He says, "and pray for them that persecute you."
If anyone would persecute you and accuse you unjustly of things, deliberately, maliciously, knowing that they're doing wrong. I'll tell you, humanly, the thing that has always been the hardest for me to resist of anything is to avoid a real indignation over an intended wrong. If somebody makes a mistake and they didn't mean it, why I don't...that doesn't offend me a bit, I don't think it ever did. But if someone really intends wrong and does it maliciously and purposely, that has always been the hardest thing for me to forgive. But you know in Christ we must...even that. "Love your enemies, pray for them that persecute you that you may be sons of your Father which is in heaven." Well, there it is.
Now again, He says again later, verse 46: "If you love them that love you, what reward do you have? do not even the publicans the same?" Now, the publicans were the tax collectors that were hated in those days. In other words, they were not always Gentiles either, I guess, but people that were despised and hated.
"And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? [That's what the people of the world do.] do not even the Gentiles the same? [unconverted or Gentile or worldly people] You therefore shall be perfect, as your Father, your heavenly Father, is perfect."
Now, how can we be perfect? We are to become perfect and, my friends, you cannot make yourself perfect, but with God's help you can improve but it is a gradual process in this life. Now, if we overcome, if we grow in grace and in knowledge, and the knowledge must come of the way of the God before we can walk in the way of God and even after the knowledge comes to live by every word of God and understanding the Bible so that you know God's way which is the only right way that will make you happy and make you a blessing and a source of happiness to others and make life good and sweet and worthwhile. It takes the help of God, you can't do it alone but in this life it will have to be a gradual walk, you can't do it all at once. (Armstrong HW. Spirit of the Law. Sermon: May 10, 1979)
Don't think that you know better than God and will not love and forgive your enemies.
That said, yes it is often more difficult to forgive people who are not sorry. But realize that Satan "deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9) and they have been deceived by Satan and their faults.
If they are not sorry and remain antagonistic, it may be better to not communicate with them more than you must. Remember that Jesus told His followers:
6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matthew 7:6)
That does not mean we should go around calling our enemies dogs or swine, but it does mean that it is often wise not to bring up matters, including even forgiveness, to those who would tend to despise that. However, we still are to show mercy and forgive.
The Book of Proverbs teaches:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)
While it takes faith to believe God and do things His way, it is to your benefit.
Remember that God says to love, forgive, and be merciful. That is health to your flesh. People that harbor a lot of hate and bitterness destroy their health, both spiritually and often also physically.
From a scientific perspective, consider that Johns Hopkins Medical Center reported:
Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack; improving cholesterol levels and sleep; and reducing pain, blood pressure, and levels of anxiety, depression and stress. And research points to an increase in the forgiveness-health connection as you age.
“There is an enormous physical burden to being hurt and disappointed,” says Karen Swartz, M.D., director of the Mood Disorders Adult Consultation Clinic at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Chronic anger puts you into a fight-or-flight mode, which results in numerous changes in heart rate, blood pressure and immune response. Those changes, then, increase the risk of depression, heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions. Forgiveness, however, calms stress levels, leading to improved health. ...
Forgiveness is a choice, Swartz says. “You are choosing to offer compassion and empathy to the person who wronged you.” https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/forgiveness-your-health-depends-on-it accessed 04/04/24
Yes, you need to forgive and love your enemies--and do good for them when you can. It is good for you!
Remember that we have all been enemies of God, yet God loves us.
Doing things God's way is best for you.
Do not be puffed up with the malice of wickedness.
Remember to love your enemies.
They are simply fallible human beings like all of us are.
When God opens their minds they will see the error of their ways -- and most will repent (see also the free book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation).
And, presuming that you have prayed for them, it may be because of your prayers that they will repent--either in this age or the age to come--and they come to love you and God for all eternity.
Here is a link to a related sermon: Mercy: Loving your enemies.
Thiel B. Mercy: Love Your Enemies. https://www.cogwriter.com/love-your-enemies.htm COGwriter (c) 2024 0413