“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.” Matthew 5:44
There is probably no greater example of enemies loving each other more than that of the Civil War. Men found themselves lining up on opposite sides of the battlefield, who had just previously enjoined the camaraderie of being students together at West Point and family members sharing meals together at the same table. In some cases brothers actually lined up against each other for the cause of their state, however right or wrong. Many a man mourned the death of a loved one or friend, knowing that they had been on opposite sides of the battle, but the bond of love could not be thwarted by the color of their uniform, whether blue or gray.
One of things I admire most about David, is the fact that he mourned greatly the death of Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel Chapter Two. Mourning Jonathan is understandable given the fact that these two men loved each other like brothers, but to mourn the death of Saul is remarkable. Saul tried hard to kill David for no cause and on at least two occasions David past up the opportunity to kill Saul when he clearly had the chance.
You can learn a lot about a person by the way they treat their enemies. One thing that has set America apart from other nations is the way we have treated a defeated foe. We have always been known as a nation that did not gloat the defeat of our enemy but offered them a hand to rebuild and restore their nation.
It takes supernatural empowerment to pray for and bless someone that is against you. Human nature is such that it is so easy to want to see those that would persecute us suffer for their wrong doing, but this is not what God calls us as believers to do. In Matthew 5:46 Jesus says, “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.”
This standard of uncommon love is the highest standard one can imagine and is only possible with two things: the help of the Holy Spirit and a personal experience with the same type of love. As we walk in the continual revelation that God loved us so much that he gave His only son for us, it helps us to love others, even our enemies in a greater way.
Today, let us receive a fresh revelation of His love for us and in return share it, even with an adversary.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, International Standard Version But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, NET Bible But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, New Heart English Bible