It is not our human nature to love our enemies. If you read Jesus’ words of Luke 6, and you think to yourself, “Yup, I agree, Jesus. This is how I love people”, then, I question if you’re being honest with yourself, because… this stuff is hard.
As we walk through a bit of Luke 6, take note of how it may apply to the situations and the relationships you struggle with today.
Looking at his disciples, [Jesus] said… ~ Luke 6:20
There was quite a crowd around Jesus (because there was almost always a crowd around Jesus), which is why it’s especially important to note that Jesus was saying the following words to his disciples.
Jesus is not telling the crowd how to be. Jesus is telling his disciples how to be.
Would it be great if non-followers of Jesus acted like true followers of Jesus? Well, sure, but… why would they? We cannot expect non-Christians to act like Christians.
This is crucial to remember as we seek to live out the following words of Jesus. You may be in a situation where your enemy does not follow Christ, which means you can’t expect that person to love you like we are being called to love. They are not being held to the same standard as those who follow Him. Jesus is calling his followers – us – to be different from the world, to be “set apart”. These words are directed not to everyone, but to us.
… to you who are [still] listening I saY… ~ Luke 6:27a
(This verse should comfort all teachers.) At this point, Jesus has been preaching for a while, and it seems that people even lost focus during Jesus’ sermons! So, Jesus gives his disciples a bit of a jab… “Ok, followers, if you haven’t tuned me out yet, I’m about to say something important…”
Love your enemies... ~ Luke 6:27b
This word, “enemies”, in the Greek language is actually quite a spectrum. It can mean a person who passively hates you, though they never say it to your face and try their hardest not to show it… alllll the way to a person who is openly hostile to you and seeks your complete demise. Big spectrum. However, the word stays the same. Whether a person secretly loathes you or they are actively trying to ruin your life… love them.
Say what?! Ok, Jesus, but…
… what does this “love” word really mean?
I’m glad you asked. In the Greek language, there were four words for love:
- Eros, which is the romantic word for love. (Not the word Jesus uses here, so you’re off the hook. No romantically-loving your enemies… shew!)
- Phileo, which refers to brotherly love, the kind of love you would have for your closest family members & friends, and the kind of love that compels us to show compassion to those in need. (Again, not the word Jesus uses here; though, showing compassion to those in need is very Jesus-like, no doubt.)
- Storge, being the natural, affectionate love that humanity has for one another, most commonly seen in the unforced love that a parent has for a child, but also the kind of love we might have for our pets, our co-workers, our community… (Once again, not the word Jesus uses here…)
- Agape, which is classified as the highest form of love. It is this word for “love” that Jesus uses here, and it is also this word for “love” that scripture uses to describe the kind of love the Lord God has for the humanity He created.
For God so [AGAPE’D] the world that He sent His only begotten Son…” ~ John 3:16
It is this kind of love that seeks out the best life for another person. It is an active love, not an apathetic one. This kind of love says, “I want only good things for that person. I want that person’s life to go well. I want only God’s favor upon them.”
So, what is Jesus saying?…
Is Jesus calling us to be “eros”, to be romantically-involved with our enemies? Of course not!
Is Jesus calling us to be “close” to our enemies, valuing them as best friends or dearest companions? No, he is not.
Is Jesus calling us to be affectionate towards them, loving them effortlessly, as a parent does a child? Nope.
Is Jesus calling us to actively desire the best life – a life of goodness and blessings – for our enemies? Yes. (If you hate the idea of this, I encourage you to keep reading anyway.)
Jesus goes on to say…
… do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ~ Luke 6:27b-28
Similar to “enemy” there is a spectrum here. In the Greek language, “mistreat” can mean a tiny indiscretion… a slight insult… alllll the way to someone who completely smears your reputation, threatens your life, or even… abuses you. “Mistreat” can be a big, horrible word.
People do horrible things to other people in this world. You may have had someone do something horrible to you. The thought of actively loving them… blessing them… wanting the best for them… Well… it might, honestly, make you sick.
“I’m supposed to actively “agape” them? I’m supposed to want the best life for them? For God to bless them? Yes. That is the calling here. (Again, it’s not easy stuff.)
However, super important to note, though Jesus is commanding us to desire good for them & blessings for them… While we are commanded to pray to God for them…
…Jesus is not commanding us to let our guards down.
Jesus is not telling us we need to invite those people into our homes, or our lives.
Jesus is not requiring that we call them on the phone and encourage them every day… or ever, for that matter.
Jesus condones healthy boundaries. You can “agape” someone and also put distance between you.
Boundaries with people that mistreat us are important… vital, even, for a healthy life.
(This is a great resource by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend for practical wisdom on boundaries.)
We are not commanded to be friends, or even acquaintances, with the people who hurt, hate, curse, or mistreat us; but, we are commanded to want God’s best for them, to desire blessings for them, and to pray to the Lord God on their behalf.
We are called to want the highest good for them; and, what is the highest good for every human being?
That they would know and love God… that they would submit to Him and be transformed by Him… that they would seek Him and be saved.
And, here’s what happens…
When we are actively praying for the people who have hurt us…
When we are intentionally lifting them up to God, that He might reveal Himself to them, so that they might be restored, healed, rescued…
When we are actively seeking to forgive them…
We are also healed…
We are also restored. We are also transformed. We are also changed.
Jesus knows, when we “love our enemies”, it does just as much (if not more) for our hearts… for our minds… for our freedom, as it does for those that have wounded us.
May we seek to “agape” well.
We may need boundaries. We may need to build a fence between us and them. We may need to create new spaces for new people, and begin some new things; but, we can still love well.
May we love others as the Lord God loves us, for…
God demonstrates his own [agape] for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8
Written by Danielle Walker
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For more on loving your enemies well, watch Boundaries: How to “Love Your Enemies” & Protect Your Mental Health AT THE SAME TIME
