Matthew 5:43,44
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies”. Who is an enemy? He is an unfriendly opponent, somebody who hates
and seeks to harm or cause trouble for somebody else. Our Lord and Saviour
commands, “Love your enemies.” An enemy is someone who fights
against another person in combat or battle. He is a hostile person who has a
plan or purpose to hurt or harm you. As true children of God, we are commanded
to love our enemies - all our enemies.
The context of this passage defines and describes the enemies who
we are to love. The enemies “curse”, they “hate”, “despise”
and “persecute” us. They are “evil” and “unjust” in their dealings with us. They do not love us,
neither will they even “salute” or greet us. Other scriptures also
describe the enemies we are commanded to love (Numbers 23:11; Job 16:9,10;
Psalms 17:8-10; 25:19; 41:5; 55:3; 56:2; 69:4; 102:4-8; 143:3,4; Micah 7:8;
Matthew 13:24-28). These negative attitudes and actions describe the enemy.
Yet, our Lord has commanded that His true disciples