Choose Love

Have you ever been thrown in a pit and left to die? Sold to slaves? Stoned by a mob?  Betrayed by a close friend for profit? I’m going to take a guess that the majority of us have not had these experiences. Yet, I’m sure all of us have had an enemy at one time or another. According to Oxford Languages, an enemy is “any person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone; antagonistic to another”. Have you driven on Interstate 270 in North County with all the road construction? I’m pretty sure some of those drivers could be labeled hostile and antagonistic. I’m also sure that when I’m driving and they are present, I’m not loving them.

Our passage this week (Matthew 5:38-48) centers around the topics of “turning the other check” and loving your enemies.  Matthew isn’t the first or the last to write on this subject. The Bible is consistent in its message:

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary bless …” (1 Peter 3:9)

“Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them.” (Romans 12:14)

“Repay no one evil for evil…” (Romans 12:17-20)

“When reviled, we bless, when persecuted, we endure.”  (1 Corinthians 4:12-13)

“Do not say I will repay evil, wait for the Lord and he will deliver you.” (Proverbs 20:22)

 “But love your enemies, and do good…” (Luke 6:35)

“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”  (Proverbs 25:21)

 “…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

Years ago I had a boss I didn’t like. He took things away from me that I loved: projects, autonomy and authority. He was my enemy. I did not love him, bless him or pray for him and cursed him behind his back. I handled the situation poorly: I didn’t trust that God was in control of the circumstances and consequently missed the opportunity to display to my co-workers how a follower of Christ handles adversity and enemies. I chose self-pity and misery.

I’ve told you my unflattering story about my boss because it’s situations just like that where Jesus is asking us to apply love when love is not the easiest or most logical choice. The Bible gives us wonderful stories about faithful men of God who forgave their enemies despite the high cost, but the principles taught to us through Joseph and Stephen also apply to the mundane, minute areas of our lives. Maybe it’s your neighbor who lets his dog bark all night or perhaps your cousin who borrowed an expensive power tool and never returned it, or maybe it’s just the drivers on I-270. Jesus wants us to choose love and His Word tells us that we “can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13) 

Brenda Wooff