The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield

Palacious

Matthew 5:43-4 leaves no doubt in our mind the position that Jesus Christ holds on the subject of loving your enemies: “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’.” (NIV)

We are challenged to consider whether our behaviour differs from that of the non-Christian. If we only love those who love us or greet those who greet us, then what are we doing more than other persons? We definitely have to do more and be more as Christians.

It is not an easy thing to forgive and choose to love. Sometimes it is a matter of feeling compassion for the person who chooses to act in this manner. At other times, it is a question of non-violent resistance as modelled by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Martin Luther King Jr, the proverbial ‘turning the other cheek’. It is about refusing to enter into a power struggle as dictated by the other person.
In order to live this type of exemplary life, we have to ensure that our foundation is based on the solid rock of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 3: 10-23). We can only boast of what he has done for us and not believe that we can do this on our won. If we are to continue to build the kingdom of God, then we have to operate, with love, caring and compassion.

This is why we have to love our enemies. It is proof that we are different and that God is in control of our lives. In fact, this is the most compelling and convincing truth. It is a lifetime goal to live a life of love and to speak of God’s grace and power (Psalm 71:17-18).

We are called to be holy (Leviticus 19:1-2), and the list in this book of the Bible (Lev. 19:9-18) reads like an expanded version of the last six of the Ten Commandments: no reaping to the edges, no stealing, lying, deceiving others, robbing or endangering the life of neighbours, no withholding of wages, cursing the deaf or tripping the blind, no perverting justice, slandering others, and no seeking revenge or bearing a grudge. If we make our neighbours into enemies, then we cannot evangelise them!

Let our daily prayer be the collect prayer for the seventh Sunday in Epiphany: “O Lord you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts the greatest, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you.”

As hard as it is, we really have no choice as Christians but to love our enemies.