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Loving the One You Hate
by Pastor Bill Pevlor

I came across a humorous greeting card the other day. The front was a scenic picture of a forest stream with the caption, “All stressed out? Sometimes it helps to think of happy scenes - - maybe a pastoral field, a field with a babbling brook. You’re there on a lovely summer’s day…” On the inside of the card in a handwritten scrawl it said, “holding someone’s head under the water. Now you’re letting them up for a second, than blam! Back into the freezing water! Over and over again! There. Feel better?”

Not only did the card get a chuckle out of me, it started me thinking about how we should deal with our enemies. Most people wouldn’t actually live out this scenario outwardly, but on the inside anger and hatred often finds a place to reside.

The Bible reveals a remarkable, and certainly unconventional, plan for dealing with enemies. Jesus presented this unconventional concept in his well-known Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew chapter five, verses 43 and 44 he said “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Most of us feel more inclined to punch our enemy than love them. Though we usually avoid causing them physical harm, praying for them is not a typical response.

It’s hard to even conceive loving the ones who’ve harmed you. Try to love the boss who chewed you out in front of the whole staff over something that wasn’t your fault. It’s hard to pray for the person who deliberately tried to ruin your reputation with slanderous lies. Can you remember the last time you loved anyone who you would consider your enemy.

Loving our enemies is certainly not our natural response, but it is our required response. That is, if you desire to live according to the Bible. Let me remind you of Jesus’ words, this time from the sixth chapter of Luke’s gospel. In verse 27 and 28 He said “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Jesus not only said it, He lived it. While facing greater persecution at the hands of His enemies than any of us will face, He showed His love toward them by forgiving them. After being falsely accused, beaten, mocked, striped naked and crucified, Jesus had compassion on His enemies. In some of His last recorded words Jesus prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross, saying “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

I ran across a story that presented a good example of loving and praying for your enemies. There was a young recruit at boot camp that had recently become a Christian. His drill Sergeant was a God hating man who mercilessly harassed the recruit about his faith and encouraged others in the platoon to do the same.

One night upon returning to the barracks after late night sentry duty the recruit knelt by his bed to pray. The Sergeant, who heard the prayers, threw his boots across the room at the recruit, hitting him squarely in the head. The recruit, without any hesitation, continued praying. The Sergeant rolled over and went back to sleep.

The next morning the Sergeant found his boots, with a dazzling hand-rubbed shine next to his bed. The Sergeant was so moved by the recruit’s unusual response, later that day he became a Christian too!

The Good News from God’s Word is that your response of love and prayer toward those who mistreat you will have a positive effect on your enemies. The apostle Paul made this clear in his letter to the Romans when he wrote, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-20)

There’s a great New Year’s resolution for you. Decide not to repay anyone for the evil they may do to you. Instead overcome evil with good. Love your enemies. Pray for them. Will it be easy? No. But, if you’ll provide the want to, God will provide the way to.

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Victorious Faith Ministries
219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201
Phone: 920-487-5775