Love Your Enemies
May His nail pierced hands and feet, pierce our hearts. May His bleeding side empty us of greed. May
we wear the crown He wore, laying ours down at His feet. May the beating He took for us, help us to
turn the other cheek. May the joy that was set before Him be set before us as well. May His being
forsaken break us to forsake worldly ambitions and follow Him. Besides, when it is all said and done,
He was raised from the dead!
Our faith in the resurrection is at the very core of everything we do. Apart from this revelation we will
never pass from the bitter tundra of cold love into the ardent life and testimony of Jesus. We will ever
be ruled by our senses, minding earthly things, and grasping for the wind. The lack of faith believers
have in this vital truth keeps them at best, lukewarm. The eternal springs of love flow through the
vessel quickened with revelations of his eternal estate. Where Jesus Himself kindles everlasting flames
of love in the hearts of His faithful forever. There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
Neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things will have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
The wisdom of God’s love sets free those who are tied up with cords of selfishness. For this wisdom
illumines the fearful mind with eternity, creating in them a countenance as bold as a lion. They never
shrink back from the jaws of pain or death, but are wholly devoted to charity at any costs. All is a gift
cheerfully spent on Christ knowing that death only opens up the gates of heaven for them! These with
a good conscience strive against the flesh before the celestial cloud of witnesses aiming to follow the
example of all their brethren who chose to suffer in hope of a better resurrection, who bore the image
of Christ in their mortal bodies, for the honor of Him who called them by glory and virtue.
A peach tree could be likened to Christianity. Out of the Branch a flower begins to sprout and bud. Its
blossoms are fragrant and beautiful to behold, much like the joy of the new birth. As flowers are
pollinated, so are these newborns through the word of God. The flower then dies but out of that death
arises its purpose, which is to produce a peach. When the reality of God’s word begins to weigh upon a
newborn’s mind, he begins dying to self, so that the life of Christ is manifested in his body and His
purpose comes forth, which is to produce a Christian. Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the
ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” (John 12:24)
The sun is to the stars as eternity is to one hundred and twenty years. Morning dawns concealing the
glorious hosts that blazed in the night skies. Moreover eternity rises after the night of death and we see
that our lives were but a vapor which appears for a little time and then it vanishes away. (James 4:14)
We have twenty four hours in one day. Therefore about one third of our lives are lost to sleep. By the
time we reach the age of thirty about another third of our lives are gone. In many cases, it is not how
you start but how you finish. Many of us wasted the beginning of our lives on trivial things which are
perishing, but do not be discouraged. Our Lord is merciful and kind. Discouragement seeks to seize all
that you have left so as to leave you penniless before Him whose eyes are as fire. May the resurrection
give you endurance to live out what little you have left for our Lord Jesus.
Before I continue, know that spiritual things are spiritually discerned, (1 Corinthians 2:14) and to be
carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is
enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (Romans 8:6-7) As
stated here: to be carnally minded is death, because it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can
be. The word subject means obedient, not agreement. For reason of little faith, many agree that the
Bible is true, but only few obey it. These few constitute God’s true elect, for genuine faith is always
expressed through obedience. Obedient faith is that which follows a Divine revelation or call of God.
For most, this revelation comes from the Holy Spirit bearing witness to the truth.
Those who resist the teachings of Christ are without, for if they had His Spirit they would be subject to
His teachings, as it is written, “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His,”
(Romans 8:9) and, these are not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (Romans 8:7)
If we would enter into life eternal we must come in through the narrow gate, and follow the way that
leads us to this heavenly place. As Jesus our Lord has said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the
gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because
narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew
7:13-14) Those who follow this Way, through obeying Jesus’ teachings faithfully to the end, shall be
saved. (Matthew 24:13) Notice His choice of words, shall be saved. Jesus’ teachings are the Way
which leads to life.
One must ask himself, “Did Jesus teach for the joy of hearing Himself speak?” also, “Did He leave us
His teachings to reveal how to live in heaven or upon the earth?” Jesus taught us agape. This is that
love, which when crushed, like a rose rewards its enemies with the sweet fragrance of tender mercies.
Agape is selfless faith. It cannot be conquered by evil. This love is despised and rejected by men, full
of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Agape is the victory won through much travail. The essence of
this virtue, so long as we are in the flesh, is suffering. Agape is the heart of the New Creation, making
this Jesus’ magnum opus. One will never know Christ until he gives in such a way as He did. The
proof of Jesus’ resurrection is witnessed as mockers, tormentors, and persecutors gaze upon agape
enduring trials; the harder they squeeze her, the more she gives. This behavior gives credibility to the
faith we profess, for, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
(Hebrews 11:1) To undergo such sufferings, while rewarding your enemies with patience and kindness
is the evidence of our resurrection, eternal home, and the life of Christ in us; hence, the substance of
things hoped for. This behavior validates our faith telling the cloud of witnesses and world that we
believe what we say we believe!
Jesus brought many things into our world which has shaped societies, governments, and philosophy but
perhaps the most notable articles He left with us are His teachings on the two zeniths of agape which
are on marriage and loving your enemies. Let us focus on the latter first.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to
you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those
who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew
5:43-45) Notice the His choice of words, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. This must be
what it means to believe on His name. (John 1:12) The word enemies is translated from the Greek
word echthros which meaning ranges from a person who violently assails you with words and
indignation, to where they are actually hostile, even to murder. Echthros encompasses all grades of
enemies from A to Z. Jesus gives a short list, such as those who curse you, hate you, spitefully use
you, and persecute you. These four degrees of enemies mean to utterly detest and invoke curses upon;
insult, slander, falsely accuse; afflict, torture, and destroy. Jesus commanded us to love such as these,
for we do not win our enemies to Christ by killing them, nor do we pray for and bless the dead. The
mind which refuses to submit to the rule of such ardent love is enmity against God, for God is such
love. Humanism has violently gripped and seized, so as to crush the very life of Christianity and has
denounced with much approval from believers, the very two heights of love Jesus came to teach. How
shall those who have heeded such foolishness be blameless on the Day of Judgment? Those who claim
to be a Christian yet would not love in this way are a reproach to both Christ and Christianity. We were
once all enemies towards God through wicked works, yet He sent His Son to make peace through the
blood of His cross, reconciling us to Himself through Jesus. (Colossians 1:20) We also ought to have
such love for our enemies by giving our lives that they too might have a longer chance to escape the
lake of fire and to be reconciled back to God. Shall we desire for the wicked to perish? Certainly not!
For we ourselves were perishing from our own wickedness, but God in His mercy, saved us
undeserving, wretched, and helpless sinners; shall we not also be rich in such mercy, towards our
enemies? However those who cannot love like this cannot believe in the resurrection, heaven, or
eternal judgment; for our faith in Christ is expressed through such love, and a person who kills in self
defense, or to save his families earthly life, or who goes to war defending an earthly nation is no longer
walking in this love, thus they are no longer abiding in God. (1 John 4:16) It is very simple: if you
believe in using violence as a means to any end, you do not believe in the resurrection of the just and
the unjust. (John 5:29) However if you do, you must be one of the most cold-hearted creatures on
earth, as one atheist rightly pointed out during an interview. The strength of agape is so colossal that
you could wish yourself accursed from Christ for the sake of your enemies, as it is written, “For I
could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the
flesh, who are Israelites.” (Romans 9:3-4) These same Israelites stoned Paul, laid one hundred and
ninety five stripes upon him, beat him with rods, and threw him in prison. These his enemies gave him
reason to write, “From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord
Jesus.” (Galatians 6:17) It is a mind ruled by fear and torment; a spirit hardened with pride; it is a
carnal, sensual, earthly mind which would use violence as a means to preserve that which must
someday die. (James 3:15) What are we hoping to save through war and violence which we might not
otherwise lose? We may well perish in faith than to live with unbelief! Remember, spiritual things are
spiritually discerned. You will not understand this truth which Jesus taught unless you open your heart,
pray to God, and remember Jesus crucified. A Christian will rather lose his life for his enemy that his
enemy may know Christ. There is no such thing as a just war or defending oneself through violence.
The offenders know not what they are doing, but we do, therefore it is a double sin on our part if we
kill or are violent. As Jesus rewarded His enemies with forgiveness so are we to reward ours with the
same through patience and humility, the same mind being in us which was also in Jesus, (Philippians 2:
5) walking just as He walked, (1 John 2:6) imitating Him, (Ephesians 5:1) the just, suffering for the
unjust, (1 Peter 3:18) that they, as we, may be brought near to Him who died for them and rose again,
(2 Corinthians 5:15) that they may also savor the name which is sweeter than the finest of perfumes.
Love grows all the hotter when it suffers all the more. Thus to foolishly lay down our crosses is to slide
back into a degenerate state. (Romans 8:13) Suffering is the essence of love, like burning is the essence
of fire. When there is nothing left to burn the flames go out. In the same way, love vanishes when it
refuses to give of itself. Jesus gave us a new law saying, “Love your enemies,” and he did this very
thing on the cross, so that when He bled, He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what
they do.” This is the pinnacle of all true Christian understanding and love. Likewise did Stephen also,
when suffering injuries from the stones, prayed, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” Moments
before this Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and the Son of Man standing at the
right hand of God. (Acts 7:56) Whereas most scriptures in the New Testament describe Jesus sitting at
the right hand of God, here, as He witnesses Stephen’s loyalty and love for His name, He is seen
standing ready to receive his spirit!
No doubt, God is glorified through our faith in the resurrection. For herein lays the wisdom of God’s
love. We suffer all things, enduring all things, bearing all things, believing all things spoken to us by
Jesus, rejoicing that He has counted us worthy to suffer for His name, not lightly esteeming that the
early disciples for His sake were killed all the day long, accounted as sheep for the slaughter, satisfying
the bloodthirsty appetites of the sons of Belial. In death or life these were more than conquerors in that
they were governed by this wisdom, for when their enemies assailed them with stones, swords, and
chains, ripping off the hide so that at times, even their entrails poured out, this only diffused the
fragrance of His knowledge in every place where they endured such appalling atrocities. We learn we
are not pressed beyond what God allows; moreover, we enter His eternal care when we leave this
body. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man
is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at
the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are
not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Consider the sufferings of Paul. Do you think he was
without Divine protection for even one moment? Certainly not! Rather God suffered Paul to be stoned,
beaten, and scourged that through these His love and Paul’s faith would be proven, that his enemies
upon seeing these marvelous things would witness before their eyes the Divine nature and be converted.
Jesus’ words and deeds constitute the structure of the Divine nature, which is built into every believer
through faith in His name. His words are the life and His deeds are the way, and these two give witness
to the truth, which all of us who love Him must follow. Obedience is that necessity every believer
must have before entering those Celestial Gates of the Redeemed, whereupon it may be written,
“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and
may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14) These alone truly expressed love for the
King of this heavenly country therefore they shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy.
(Revelation 3:4) They loved not even their own lives but were faithful unto death, looking for the
glorious day when they shall behold Him for whom they have labored, endured, and suffered the loss
of all things. Oh what inexpressible joy shall fill their hearts when they soar the celestial skies upon the
wings of peace! But terror, shame, and darkness upon all of those who believed the lie, that they could
make it in to this everlasting utopia, without having obeyed the Prince of this serene region where His
eternal glory dwells for all of His faithful to enjoy forever, as it is written, “But outside are dogs and
sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
(Revelation 22:15) One cannot even imagine what awaits all of the false teachers, prophets, and
witnesses who mocked, scorned, and derided the faithful who spoke the truth in love trembling in the
fear of God. For it may be that all of their followers will drag them from the walls of the City to a place
of utter darkness, and serve as an everlasting worm gnawing upon their memory, thoughts, and
feelings. Thus all who teach salvation through grace alone, without the reflection of that grace as
essential, may expect the deepest and hottest place reserved for them in the lake of fire as it is written,
for these are raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is
reserved the blackness of darkness forever. (Jude 13) These will forever share the inheritance allotted
to the majority of Jeremiah’s generation, whom the LORD God sent warnings to them by His
messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people. But they
mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the
LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy. (2 Chronicles 36:15-16) It is true that we
love God because He first loved us, but to abide therein we must obey Jesus, because our love for Him
is expressed not merely in feeling or thought, but through obedience, as He has spoken, “If you love
Me, keep My commandments,” (John 14:15) and, “The Father Himself loves you, because you have
loved Me,” (John 16-27) again, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.” (John 15:
10) Now that we are born of God, having become partakers of the Royal Lineage of love, that same
love which begot our dear Savior and Lord, who was pleased to have Him bruised for our sakes, (not
that the Father enjoyed watching His Son suffer, but in a similar way as a parent who is pleased when
his child turned the other cheek toward his enemies) that we might become His offspring through faith
in Him, let us also love in such a way, for he that does so is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:8)
“He that says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in
Him.” (1 John 2:4) He commanded us to love our enemies. Is this the same Jesus you say you know?
Loving your enemies and the permanence of the marriage covenant are what practices set Christianity
apart from every religion, humanism, and philosophy. All the morale in other ideas is rooted in human
nature. For there are billions of people who “do good” but they wouldn’t do these. They would not
because they have not the faith of Jesus. Jesus died for His enemies by giving His life. He believed in
heaven, hell, and the resurrection; so do all of His followers give their lives for their enemies because of
the same persuasions. Our faith expresses itself through such love. Thus the fruit of our very lives is
the essence of who we are and the core of our beliefs. Therefore the world doesn’t have agape because
they have not its beliefs. This is the only love that doesn’t feel good. You love your enemy that He
may witness the sufferings of Christ in you and because you would not have him to suffer eternal
flames of torment. And if necessary, you sow your blood as a seed. You also show such love towards
your hateful spouse, by never divorcing. Loving your enemy may subject your body to pain, and loving
your abusive spouse subjects your feelings to pain. There is no logical reason or explanation to love in
such ways as these except that this love is diametrically opposed to human nature, and must therefore
be Divine.
Jesus’ words are the very sword which pierces through our soul, dividing human nature from Divine.
He said, love your enemies. Jesus is not Lord (Ruler) of your life unless you do the things which He
told you to do. (Luke 6:46) Several times He warned us that many will seek to enter in, knocking at the
door, pleading, “Lord, open for us,” but He will say, “I tell you I do not know you, where you are
from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.” (Luke 13:23-30) However, “If any man loves
God, the same is known by Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:3) Our love for Him is expressed through obeying
righteousness. His righteousness is exalted in our lives when we love our enemies. We are to love all of
our enemies, even those who threaten our life (Psuche), that is the breath of life He gave to us,
following with caution His exhortation, whoever loves his life (Psuche) will lose it, and he who hates
his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25) He was saying that you’re going to
someday lose that very life, breath, which is so precious to you. Until we hate the flesh and love the
life of the Spirit, we have not begun to show any evidence of His presence abiding in us.
The greatest enemy of love’s teaching is humanism, which doctrine appeals to human nature, that is,
the lusts of pride and self. I would dare say that most preachers have this corruption in their theology.
This is why they, as well as their followers live as though there is no resurrection. With cunning
craftiness they sway the minds of the simple who think ignorance is bliss. Their messages are designed
to show how similar human and Divine nature are, while the Bible exposes the stark contrast between
the two. They say, “Any loving parent would not so sorely punish their child for their wicked deeds, by
banishing them from their presence forever.” However these are without reality, for God does not
share the inheritance of the righteous with the wicked. Thus all of those who work iniquity will go
together into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. (Matthew 25:46)
An evolutionary explanation for morality assumes that human interest are genetic, such as the natural
affection a parent has for their children, then friends, and even the poor. Now we must understand that
many parents would give their lives for their children, possibly a close relative, and perhaps a good
friend. However when confronted by an armed man, such as a thief or a murderer, who has come with
a knife to steal or to kill, any non believer or atheist would seek to overpower this criminal to save their
life, even if it meant killing him. This is why Paul wrote, “Scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet
perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward
us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8) The world has natural
affection, a natural love, but to love your murderers is Divine in nature because it only comes through
faith in God. Atheists and nonbelievers are going to fight for their survival because they have
everything to lose.
We learn in Genesis that violence is the result of man’s fall. When Adam partook of the forbidden fruit,
he likewise partook of Satan’s nature; thereafter followed the bloodshed of righteous Abel by his
brother Cain. Thus instead of eating from the tree of life and becoming like God through the knowledge
therein, man became like Satan filled with violence. Through his disobedience he became corrupted by
the knowledge of good and evil. Nothing good can ever come from this nature, for there is none who
does good, no, not one. (Romans 3:12) This scripture must be speaking of a particular time in history
or referring to a group of people, because there were several who did good and pleased God, such as
Enoch, Noah, Abel, Moses, Elijah, Job, Elisha, Joshua, etc. But their good works emanated from an
iron will, bent only towards the love of God. Is it any wonder why Jesus raised the standard higher
through grace and truth? For if the Old Testament saints could please God merely from an iron will,
how much more should we through grace, truth, and our will? If we notice the name of the tree,
knowledge of good and evil, not only evil, but good as well, we realize the battle of good lied in the will
of man. This has not changed. However, through faith in Jesus we partake of His nature, having been
made new creations, and the evil resources within have been purged and replaced with His
righteousness. The leaven of His grace is working in us the desire both to will and to do for His good
pleasure. Whereas once the vacuum of our pride vanquished all true goodness, now agape flows as
rivers of living water from the wellspring of the Holy Spirit. The evidence of our victory over evil is
when we overcome evil with good, by loving our enemies. Those who would repay evil with evil prove
to the entire world that they are no different than them. Thus all true children of God do not avenge
themselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the
Lord. Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing
you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:19-21) It is certain that all enemies of the true children of God are hungry for truth and
thirsty for agape. How can we justify ourselves for killing those who are, as we ourselves once were?
Think about the apostle Paul. What if the early church believed in a just war and therefore killed Him?
Our enemies have everything to lose, but we, only our breath of life, for to live is Christ but to die is
gain. What if we really believed in the resurrection, so that when a thief breaks into our homes we do
not grab our guns, but the hands of our loved ones in prayer for this poor lost soul? What if upon
hearing such love filled words he is stricken with awe as his thirsty and hungry soul becomes fed so
that the springs in his head send tears running down his cheeks, and falling to his knees, repents and
calls on the name of our Lord. What if the thief says, as the officers sent to Jesus by the chief priests
and Pharisees, who ordered that Jesus should be brought to them, “No man ever spoke like this man!”
(John 7:46) or, “I have never witnessed such faith and love as these possess.”
All which love in such a way honor the One who paid for their ransom with His own blood. Apart from
Divine nature men are no different than the animals on earth that fight and war. They are simply living
out what is on the inside. The nature of the antichrist is pride. Pride is violent, wroth, selfish,
unbelieving, destructive, unforgiving, resentful, hateful, malicious, bitter, unkind, rude, contentious, and
jealous. Those who have the nature of the antichrist are earthly minded, because they do not believe.
All of their defenses, charities, ambitions, and kindnesses, never go as far as the extra mile, nor do they
bear the weight of the cross, for their will never lifts their thoughts off of the ground, neither do they
have the necessary resources to accomplish anything but vanity, for they are without Divine nature. It
is only as we walk in the light as He is in the light, by loving as He loves, that we have fellowship with
one another. And He is the High Priest who hears our confessions and intercedes for us by His blood
to restore lost fellowship if we repent. For it is impossible to have fellowship with Him while sinning.
Those who think otherwise are liars and do not practice the truth. (1 John 1:6) The destiny of all
believers is that they conform to the image of Jesus, but those hardened by unbelief will only conform
to the image of the antichrist, though they bear Christ’s name. (Romans 8:29) True repentance changes
what you had been, so you may be what you were not.