Loving Our Enemies

1. Before we can begin to love our enemies, we need to know who they are.

2. We may want to think first about who our enemies are not. They are not…

1) People who may simply have a different opinion than we have.

2) People who are of a different race.

3) People of different countries.

4) People who are different, quirky, or eccentric in some way.

5) The Christian ought to never presume anyone to be his enemy.

3. There are those, who, by their behavior, make themselves our enemies.

1) Foreign nations we are fighting.

2) Those who disagree with us in politics.

3) People who simply don’t like us.

4) Those who oppose Christianity.

4. We need to consider the question, ?Who is God’s enemy??

1) Anyone who is a sinner according to Romans 5:8-10.

2) Those who are carnal minded according to Romans 8:7.

3) Those who practice friendship with the world according to James 4:4.

4) In essence, anyone who behaves contrary to God’s word.

5. While there may be those who become our enemies by their behavior, it is not that we desire them to be our enemies.

6. So, when we talk about loving our enemies, we’re talking about loving those who by their behavior make themselves our enemies.

1. Again, let us consider what it doesn’t mean.

1) It doesn’t mean that we have strong emotions of ?love? for them.

2) It doesn’t mean that we have to agree with them.

3) It doesn’t mean that we capitulate to whatever they want from us.

2. It is the imitation of the character of God Himself.

1) This is what Jesus points out in Matthew 5:45-48.

2) It is what Paul teaches in Romans 5:8-10.

3) It was first God’s character that loved His enemies and it is His love that we emulate.

4) God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), even for His enemies.

3. It is what defines what it means to be a Christian.

1) It’s significant that many other world religions seek to destroy, not love, their enemies.

2) Christians always seek the highest good for their enemy.

3) This means that we desire them to become Christians and save their souls from hell.

4) It is that part of man that shall live eternally about which we ought to be concerned.

5) Matthew 10:28 tells us that the soul is so much more precious than the body.

6) Matthew 16:26 teaches us that one soul is worth the whole world.

4. Loving our enemies is the constant effort on our part to make them our not only our friends, but our brethren.

1. Some may ask, ?How can I love someone who hates me? Who is trying to destroy me??

1) The Bible gives us several principles to help us.

2) By blessing, doing good, and praying for them. First, consider Matthew 5:44 ?But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.?

3) By turning the other cheek and going the extra mile. (Matthew 5:38-42).

4) By not taking vengeance upon them. (Romans 12:19).

5) By providing for his needs. (Romans 12:20).

6) By overcoming evil with good. (Romans 12:21).

7) By teaching them the gospel.

2. Some examples to consider.

1) Consider David’s attitude toward Saul while Saul was trying to kill David.

2) We have the example of Ananias and Barnabas to Saul of Tarsus.

3) We have the example of early Christians toward the Roman soldiers.

4) We have the example of Jesus Himself.

3. When do we love our enemies?

1) Any opportunity we have to show love to them.

2) We love them especially when we don’t want to love them.

4. We love our enemies by seeking their spiritual welfare.

1. God loves them. John 3:16, Romans 5:8-10.

2. They need the gospel. Romans 1:16, John 14:6.

3. It may encourage them to hear the gospel. Consider the example of Paul and Silas to the Philippian jailer in Acts 16.

4. So that we can be like God. Matthew 5:45

5. It may be that no one else truly loves them.

1) Sometimes those who are our enemies simply don’t know how to be friends.

2) If we love them, perhaps they will learn from our example.

6. Each soul is worth loving. God certainly thinks so.