How To Treat Your Enemies

Exodus 23.4-5

By the very fact that you follow Jesus you have enemies. Jesus had them. They saw to His Crucifixion. He told His disciple the night before He died, in John 15.18, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first." Our lives are salt and light. Salt and light are among other things, irritants. Living the right way irritates people who aren't living right.

Enemies can come about because of jealousy, envy, and bitterness on their part.

Milo Arnold said there is only one way to get rid of an enemy.
If you ignore them, they remain an enemy.
If you destroy them they die an enemy.
If you love them they will no longer be your enemy, on your end and your part.

This passage forms a thread throughout the scriptures. It is the Law of Love.

Matthew 5.43-48
Luke 10.27 Love your neighbor as yourself.
Romans 13.8,10 Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Some people think hate is the most powerful force in the world. They see the devastation and destruction it brings. Not true. Love is the most powerful force in the world and the universe. Look at the hospitals, relief organizations love has produces. Look at mission trips- people going to help others not for pay but because of love. Some look at love as weakness- but God so loves the world that He (Almighty God) sent His only begotten Son to die in our place.

Christians are to express neighborly kindness to those who are not good neighbors. This take the power of Christ working in you. His Spirit coming forth.

How To Treat Your Enemies...

1. Never Say, "They Had It Coming To Them." v.4
The temptation certainly will be there to think "serves them right!" They deserved it.
Personal Revenge is not appropriate for Christians.
Do the opposite of revenge or rejoicing (even if it is within your own heart) over an enemy's misfortune: Get in there and help!
Proverbs 25.21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
Romans 12.17-21
I Thessalonians 5.15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Let hatred cease with us! Speak the Truth in Love. Jesus answered strongly but always with love and concern for each soul

2. Don't Ignore a Situation when it is in Your Power To Act. -vs.4-5
Proverbs 3.27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act.

Be ready to do good to everyone.
Kindness to animals is addressed here. They are God's creatures- Be merciful to the animals, regardless of how his master treats you. In helping an enemy get his donkey back on his feet it could soften the ill feelings he has towards you. We need to be sensitive to those "opportunities".
God is working in the world for reconciliation.

3. Go To the Limits of and Beyond. I Corinthians 13.4-13
Love knows no limits. When dealing with an addict or a busy body or a divisive person you better have boundaries or they will destroy you. But love has no limits.
Pastor John White donated a kidney to a fellow pastor. We need to give of ourselves completely.
Yet there is no heaven on earth... yet!
Aim to treat your enemies as you do your best friends. You say that is impossible! You are right. With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible!
When Judas approached Jesus with the mob Jesus called him, "Friend".
When Jesus was on the cross hours later, He prayed for His enemies, "Father, forgive them."

Oh To Be Like Thee!