Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.
Matthew 5:44
“But I [Jesus] tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
The idea of loving your enemies is, in my opinion, one of the things that sets Christianity apart from many other religions. Unfortunately, it’s also one that we fail at miserably. I am heartbroken when I see Christians setting such a terrible example for the world. Dehumanizing politicians, using insulting names for people who want a better world in a different way than they do, even desiring the extermination of entire people groups-- I’ve seen it all, from family, friends, and former students of mine who claim to be Christ-followers.
But am I any better? Who are my enemies? How have I treated them?
I have lashed out in anger against people who I deemed to be working against me. I have held grudges long after I should have forgiven someone. I have cultivated resentment. I have thrown people under the proverbial bus because I was frustrated with them. And probably much more.
All of this could have been avoided, I’m sure, if I’d taken the time to pray for my enemies before I spoke or acted. Praying for them serves several purposes. It gives us compassion. It reminds us that we have all been sinners. We are all just as guilty as the people who were actively participating in the death of Jesus. Thank God for His grace, mercy, and sacrifice in the form of His Son. We can remember that if the person we’re at odds with isn’t a Christian, then they may not know what they are doing, and we can ask for them to know God’s forgiveness like we have. And if the person is a Christian, we can ask God to guide us both.
Praying for them also gives us the strength and ability to love them in a way that we are incapable of in our own power. I experienced this firsthand while living in Central Asia. Though the details of this experience might be better shared over coffee, I can tell you that God gave me a supernatural love for a group that I had every reason to hate. I’ve also had this experience in teaching, when a student is acting disruptively or disrespectfully. Of course I love my students and don’t see them as enemies, but I don’t always feel that love toward them at the moment. Even teachers are human! But when I pray for them, my attitude changes and sometimes even their attitude/behavior does, too.
Now I’m not saying that we need to coddle everyone or condone everyone’s actions. I think it’s okay to vehemently disagree with someone’s actions or policies or attitudes, and to call them on it. But we can do this without dehumanizing them. They are made in God’s image, just like the rest of us; and we need to honor that, even when they don’t deserve it. Because all of us have “not deserved it” at some point. Thank God that He, in His love, made a way for us all to be forgiven. And Jesus, who knew that He would be killed violently, gave us the ultimate example of loving our enemies.
Dear Lord, please guide us as we deal with our natural human emotions, including hate. Help us to remember that humans are never the ultimate enemy. And since we have all deserved the worst, help us to have compassion for those we don’t like as we remember our own guilt and how we’ve received grace. And fill us with love for them, so we can pray for them to know You more. Or nudge us to pray for them, so we can be filled with love for them. Whichever needs to come first in each case. You know our needs, and You know their needs. Thank you for loving us all. Amen.
About the Author
Jessie is an educator, she currently teaches teens and has taught overseas. She is also a novice writer, with several books in various stages and a (long-neglected) blog about the journeys of women. She is very excited to be a part of the CitySalt blog team. She has been blessed by a few communities of Christian writers that have encouraged her dream. She lives with her trusty sidekick cat, Arwen in the foothills of South Eugene, where she can go hiking within minutes of the sun coming out from behind the clouds.