An enemy (by definition,) is a person who is actively
opposed or hostile to someone or something.
Often, our enemies are people close to us who have
been hurt; a spouse, a former spouse, a parent or child, a co-worker or an enemy
of God who makes us their target.
What can we do to actively seek their good in the way Jesus taught
his disciples to think? When we begin
with actions of love, not waiting for
emotions of love to surface, we are
doing what Jesus taught.
§ Do good - When we find ways to do good for an enemy, we do it not to
shame them, but to love them for Jesus’ sake. It’s hard to hate someone while
doing good for them.
§ Bless – By looking for ways to work blessings into our thoughts and
words, we may find our way to loving our enemies for Jesus’ sake, if not our
own.
§ Pray – Praying
for our enemies opens our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit. We must ask God to
heal the hurts that motivate actions of enmity toward us, to comfort and show
mercy to them.
Jesus understood that to love and forgive our enemies was a hard
commandment. This is possible only as we remain sensitive to the working of the
Holy Spirit in our hearts. “But
the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach
you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:6
Personally, there is nothing more beautiful than a council of peace; enemies
coming to the altar of forgiveness.
“If I
said yes I can forgive but I can’t forget, as though God who twice a day
washes all the sands on all the shores of all the world, could not wash such
memories from my mind, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”
Amy Wilson-Carmichael,
1867-1951 (Missionary in India)
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