“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”    

Luke 6:27-28                                                     

This bible verse seemed appropriate in light of the regular displays of violence we see on television or the way we see friends, politicians, leaders, coworkers, countries and even ourselves behave towards those we see as our enemies.  An enemy can be defined as someone we feel hatred towards or someone whose interests we oppose.

These are everyday experiences for most however, it can be quite a stretch for us to do as this verse asks as many of us can’t even think about loving others who may hate us or mistreat us.  Why would we want to love or do good for these people?

Our natural reaction is to retaliate; strike back.  Instead, we spend wasted time planning our revenge and how we can get the last laugh. Yet how impactful would it be if instead we reacted according to how God is directing us in this verse?  Now this may sound like far too much to ask for, but, the bible shows us over and over that God loves His enemies and by doing good to our enemies, we are, in short showing them love.

To show unconditional love like the kind God shows each of us would have profound results.  We still may strongly disagree with the actions of another person.  We can still be angry with them and they may even remain our enemy but by loving our enemies, we can put an end to the cycle of hate.  By doing something good for our enemy, we can change our own hearts.

Prayer: Thank you God for loving us unconditionally and for showing us how to be more like you.  Please help each of us to respond to our enemies with the positive attitude of change. Guide our hearts so that our actions bring us closer and make us stronger together.  Amen.

Alicia Edin