Love Your Enemies?

It's there, we may not like it but "love your enemies" is right there in Matthew 5:44.  Jesus did, even as his enemies were cursing and mocking him upon the crossed they had nailed him: "Father forgive them..." (Luke 23:34). 

Why?  How?  Where is the sense in loving those who seek your downfall or destruction?  The sense is in the heavenly realms. Those who appear to be our enemies are not really our foes but captives of the Enemy, unwittingly doing his work   The rest of Luke 23:34 above reads, "...for they know not what they do."

Paul clarifies this truth in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

People who seek harm or I'll for another are unwitting pawns in the hands of their captive, the devil or, at the least, their desire or evil thought is held hostage by him, which is why Christians are to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5).  The marching orders for the church is to storm the "gates of hell [which] will not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18 KJV).

Those "enemies" and/or their thoughts are held captive by the Enemy and need redemption not retaliation.  Our job is not to punish - that is God's: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay" (Rom 12:19) - our job is to "overcome evil with good" (vs 21).

If were were just physical, earthly beings, it would make sense to destroy our enemies. But as spiritual, heavenly beings, it makes perfect, godly sense to seek to reclaim a lost soul, striking not the captive but the Enemy. Take the battle to where it belongs - take it to the gates of hell itself and release the captive by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jus' Proclaiming!