Why Love Those Who Hate Us?

Christianity is unique in many ways. One of those is that we're called to love our Enemies. In other belief systems, notably Islam, adherents are told to hate their enemies.

Christ made this perfectly clear regarding our persecutors in Matthew 5:44 and 45 (BBE) when he said, "But I say to you, Have love for those who are against you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you; So that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven; for his sun gives light to the evil and to the good, and he sends rain on the upright man and on the sinner." Verse 45 also is the reason for loving our enemies.

The Apostle Paul also admonishes us to let God deal with the wicked people's castigation but to show them kindness. Romans 12:19 and 20 (BBE) explains, "Do not give punishment for wrongs done to you, dear brothers, but give way to the wrath of God; for it is said in the holy Writings, 'Punishment is mine, I will give reward, says the Lord.' But if one who has hate for you is in need of food or of drink, give it to him, for in so doing you will put coals of fire on his head."

Christ expects us to obey his commandments. As he said in John 15:14 (BBE), "You are my friends, if you do what I give you orders to do."

Jesus also addressed would-be disciples in Luke 6:46 (BBE) when he asked of them, "Why do you say to me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

We Christians tend to forget that most of the world's people are unsaved. Most of those folks are also unable to respond to the gospel. As Paul points out in Colossians 2:13 and 14 (BBE), Christ is the one who makes spiritually-dead people come to life. "And you, being dead through your sins and the evil condition of your flesh, to you, I say, he gave life together with him, and forgiveness of all our sins; Having put an end to the handwriting of the law which was against us, taking it out of the way by nailing it to his cross;"

Now I understand that there are those stubborn people who won't respond to our kindness with appreciation. Paul understood that too so he wrote in Romans 12:18 (BBE) that, "As far as it is possible for you be at peace with all men." That includes women too.

Best of all, we will be rewarded for taking the blows meant for Christ. Our Lord said in Luke 6:22 and 23 (BBE), "Happy are you, when men have hate for you, and put you away from among them and say angry words to you, turning away in disgust at your name, because of the Son of man. Be glad in that day, and be lifted up for joy, for your reward in heaven will be great: for their fathers did these same things to the prophets."

I also think that our suffering without retaliating shows us to be noble. Any fool can become angry but it takes great strength of character to shrug off insults, torture, or even martyrdom.

The unique nature of Christianity will be one topic covered in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? All other belief systems are centred on human effort and philosophy. Only Christianity is based on God's wisdom.