This is Love: #2 Enemy Love

It is easy to love those who love us. But it is much harder to love those who have hurt us. Those who have betrayed us or persecuted us. Those who we would call our enemy, actively seeking our destruction and death.

Matt 5:43-48

It is only through God’s love that we can love our enemy.

Jesus in the sermon on the mount gave us this command:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:43-45)

To be a child of the Father is to love our enemy. Jesus, the Son of God showed us this love by dying on the cross for all. A love we receive when we find forgiveness and follow Christ. It is only through God’s love that we can love our enemy. Voice of the Martyrs has a story about Amina from Nigeria— see below.

Nigeria: Amina’s Story of Forgiveness

On October 2nd, 2012, Amina’s husband Ghumdia was executed for refusing to deny his faith in Jesus. Her sons were also attacked by Boko Haram terrorists but they miraculously survived their injuries. Five years later, Amina was travelling to a funeral when Boko Haram members ambushed the bus she was riding. Amina was kidnapped along with 11 other women, one of whom died in captivity from the wounds she suffered during the attack. After eight months of trauma, fear and hunger, Amina and the other surviving women were released. In spite of all she has been through, Amina chose to forgive those who have caused her so much pain.

Date: October 2022

We will always be challenged by the call to love our enemies. But by reaching out to God, he can supply a love that overcomes all.

God bless

Pastor Stephen