Love your enemies

Scripture Lessons

Genesis 45:3-15

Psalm 103:1-13

1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42

Luke 6:27-38

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today’s gospel lesson may sound more like law than gospel. There is certainly the exhortation of the law. However, this text is a favorite among unbelievers who follow in the path of Satan by twisting the Word, turning it on its head.

Start with verse 37 which says, in part, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned.” Unbelievers who normally have no use of the scripture seem to be very familiar with this passage. “Judge not!” they proclaim and by that they mean, “you can’t say anything about anyone’s behavior, conduct, lifestyle, etc.” That would be judging and Jesus said, “don’t judge!”

In practical terms, this means that if someone is living in sin, say a man and woman living together without being married, you can’t say anything because that would be judging. If a husband is neglectful of his wife, you can’t say anything because that would be judging. If a person has a slack attitude toward the Church and pops in every now and again when the mood strikes them, you can’t say anything because that would be judging.

This is completely wrong. Let me give an example. If a young man came to me and said, “gravity isn’t really true.” Then he proceeded to ascend the ladder to the rooftop and prepare to jump, it would be quite unloving to allow him to jump to his peril. Just because he thinks that God’s law of gravity is untrue doesn’t make it so. Indeed, he would soon discover just how true that law is. Likewise, to fornicate violates the law of God, a law that is just as real as the law of gravity. To ignore this law is to jeopardize oneself. Therefore, it is not loving to politely ignore the sin, to look the other way. Ironically, to look the other way and ignore the sin is not only unloving but is also being judgmental. Yes, if you put God’s law aside then you are judging God’s law. If we say that fornication is acceptable, but murder is not, then we are being judgmental because we are picking and choosing (i.e. judging) which laws of God will apply and which will not.

So, when Jesus said “Judge not,” if He didn’t mean “don’t apply the law of God to anyone else,” then what did He mean? His words, taken in context, indicate that you are not to condemn a person. In other words, you ought never look at another person, no matter how vile their sin may be, and conclude that they are beyond redemption in Christ Jesus. And if they are not beyond redemption in Christ Jesus, which nobody living is, then they are still someone that Christ died for. Yes, He died for them just like He died for you and for me. While we were yet sinners He died for us all. So, you are not to judge a person as to their salvation. You are not to look upon another and presume (for God) that they are beyond the scope of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. To the contrary, you are to look upon all people and see in them the worth that Christ sees. That is to say, Christ loves all people to the point that He laid down His life for them. You must also have that same view of all people. You may say, “even my enemies?”

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Do these words of Jesus answer your question?

I want you to recall the parable of the unforgiving servant from Matthew 18:23-35. A servant owed the king a huge amount, more than could ever possibly be repaid. And yet the servant begged and pleaded that the king be patient and he would repay everything. Of course, the king knew that the debt was too large to be repaid, yet he had mercy on the servant and forgave his debt. Meanwhile, the servant left and found another servant who owed him a relatively small amount. He had no mercy on that debtor and demanded payment and put the man in prison until he should pay the debt. This is a picture of the forgiveness you have received. Your debt to God is more than you could ever pay. You begged Him for mercy and He has had compassion on you and forgiven you your debt on account of Christ Jesus. Now, how will you react to the person who is indebted to you? The person who has sinned against you? Will you demand repayment? Will you condemn them?

Perhaps you will want to see them repaid for their ill treatment toward you. Perhaps you will want justice to be done. But God deals in mercy and compassion with those who ask. You have asked for mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and you have received it. Now, give it to others as it has been given to you. See in others, even your enemies and those who hate you, a person that Christ died to redeem.

This is a tall order. Let me be clear. The only solution is absolution. The only solution to the problem of sin is the complete forgiveness of your sins and those of the person who sinned against you. If God in Christ has forgiven them, who are you to withhold forgiveness? I know this can be extraordinarily difficult. So pray that God will do this work in you. It’s like the vows that we take in confirmation: “Do you intend to live according to the Word of God…” I do, by the grace of God. In other words, “yes. I do intend to and seek God’s grace in so doing.” The forgiveness that God has shown you in Christ Jesus is extraordinary. Pray that God will also grant that you may forgive others likewise.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.