Lesson Nine • Love Your Enemies
John Rigg
1. Have you ever had to reevaluate something that you believed to be true for a long time?
Let me give you a couple of examples of beliefs I once had, but now know differently.
I used to believe that cracking your knuckles will one day lead to arthritis. However, after years of not cracking my knuckles and scolding those who did, I found out that although cracking your knuckles is extremely annoying and distracting to those around you, this displacement of “synovial fluid” from in between your joints does not lead to arthritis as is often claimed.
How about this? “Coffee stunts your growth.” Although there are probably some good reasons you do not want your young children drinking large amounts of caffeinated anything, there is no scientific evidence that coffee slows down the growth process. Even though I did not start drinking coffee until an adult, I am relieved that my vertically challenged life is not inhibited by my love for coffee.
2. Write down something that you once believed to be true and now are persuaded to believe differently.
As you have probably already noticed in our study of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus opens every major section by challenging His hearers and us, to believe differently than what we have previously been taught. This next section is no different.
Matthew 5:43 says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”
In Jesus’ day, the Jews were instructed by the Pharisees and other religious leaders, to live and act according to the Law of Moses. It is probable that the “you have heard that is was said” portion of verse 43, was referring to what the Pharisees had been teaching in the synagogue.
3. So according to verse 43, what had the Pharisees been saying?
Although we cannot be certain, they were probably teaching from Leviticus 19:18 which says, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
4. What portion of the Law were the Pharisees teaching properly? Which part were they implying was okay to do?
Nowhere in Scripture do we read of God giving His people the liberty to hate their enemies. In fact, this is the very thing Jesus is teaching against.
Matthew 5:44–45 adds, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
It is a great misrepresentation of the character of God when His “sons and daughters” act contrary to who He is. When Jesus says, “But I say to you,” He is helping everyone reevaluate their current belief that it is ok to hate their enemies and replace their response with love and prayer. This is the true character of God.
5. What does acting towards our enemies in love do for them? For us?
6. How does praying for our enemies benefit them? What does it do for us?
It is easy for us to understand Jesus’ teaching here; however, it is a much more difficult task to execute. Adopting God’s temperament towards our enemies is no doubt a reflection of our relationship with Him and our willingness to trust Him in our responses to those we consider our enemies.
Although God’s command to love our enemies should be sufficient for us, He is kind enough to remind us of how He responds to evil and unjust people through His creation each day (Matthew 5:45).
Notice, God’s character is on display through His actions towards all people, not just the good or those who choose to love Him. Jesus reminds us that God causes the sun to shine on the evil and the good. He also sends rain on the just and unjust. God has enemies, the evil and unjust. Yet He loves them.
7. Do you consider yourself to be a friend or enemy of God?
Read Colossians 1:1-22.
8. Have you ever been an enemy of God?
9. Knowing that you were once God’s enemy through disobedience, does God’s response of love towards you when you were His enemy change how you should respond to your enemies?
At the beginning of this lesson, I asked the question, “Have you ever had to reevaluate something that you believed to be true for a long time?”
Maybe you have held on to the belief for a long time that it is okay to hate your enemies, retaliate, and take vengeance into your own hands. My personal experience in dealing with my enemies is this - at the end of the day, I still have enemies when I respond with hate and vengeance.
We can see through the Scriptures that God is moving us to something greater - loving our enemies with the goal of reconciliation. I know what you are probably thinking, “There is no way that I will ever be friends with _________________________. The past has produced too much pain and too much suffering. Healing this relationship would be too difficult, if not impossible!”
Jesus never mentions “easy” in His teaching. In fact, His challenge is to avoid the easy. Matthew 5:46–47 says, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”
There is no reward in loving those that already love you or those that think and act the way you do. Jesus states that even those that do not know God or have a relationship with Him love in that way. The reward spoken of here is reconciliation, transforming an enemy into a friend. This can only be done through a relationship with God and trusting His ability to reconcile hearts to Himself. God’s standard is always Himself. As sons and daughters, we always look to our Heavenly Father on how we should act and think.
Matthew 5:48 continues, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Take a moment and think about how you are currently responding to an enemy you may have. It is someone who has hurt you or someone who does not think the way you do.
10. Write down how you are currently acting. Be truthful.
11. Now write down, as a child of God, what God is saying to you and how you should respond going forward.
Acting in love towards an enemy is rarely easy, yet we must respond with love if we are ever to reap the reward of reconciliation. Notice that our Lord gives no guarantee on how our enemies will respond to love. He just asks us to trust Him and act according to His example.
Pray for His direction.
Pray for His power.
Pray for reconciliation.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18
Let me give you a couple of examples of beliefs I once had, but now know differently.
I used to believe that cracking your knuckles will one day lead to arthritis. However, after years of not cracking my knuckles and scolding those who did, I found out that although cracking your knuckles is extremely annoying and distracting to those around you, this displacement of “synovial fluid” from in between your joints does not lead to arthritis as is often claimed.
How about this? “Coffee stunts your growth.” Although there are probably some good reasons you do not want your young children drinking large amounts of caffeinated anything, there is no scientific evidence that coffee slows down the growth process. Even though I did not start drinking coffee until an adult, I am relieved that my vertically challenged life is not inhibited by my love for coffee.
2. Write down something that you once believed to be true and now are persuaded to believe differently.
As you have probably already noticed in our study of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus opens every major section by challenging His hearers and us, to believe differently than what we have previously been taught. This next section is no different.
Matthew 5:43 says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”
In Jesus’ day, the Jews were instructed by the Pharisees and other religious leaders, to live and act according to the Law of Moses. It is probable that the “you have heard that is was said” portion of verse 43, was referring to what the Pharisees had been teaching in the synagogue.
3. So according to verse 43, what had the Pharisees been saying?
Although we cannot be certain, they were probably teaching from Leviticus 19:18 which says, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
4. What portion of the Law were the Pharisees teaching properly? Which part were they implying was okay to do?
Nowhere in Scripture do we read of God giving His people the liberty to hate their enemies. In fact, this is the very thing Jesus is teaching against.
Matthew 5:44–45 adds, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
It is a great misrepresentation of the character of God when His “sons and daughters” act contrary to who He is. When Jesus says, “But I say to you,” He is helping everyone reevaluate their current belief that it is ok to hate their enemies and replace their response with love and prayer. This is the true character of God.
5. What does acting towards our enemies in love do for them? For us?
6. How does praying for our enemies benefit them? What does it do for us?
It is easy for us to understand Jesus’ teaching here; however, it is a much more difficult task to execute. Adopting God’s temperament towards our enemies is no doubt a reflection of our relationship with Him and our willingness to trust Him in our responses to those we consider our enemies.
Although God’s command to love our enemies should be sufficient for us, He is kind enough to remind us of how He responds to evil and unjust people through His creation each day (Matthew 5:45).
Notice, God’s character is on display through His actions towards all people, not just the good or those who choose to love Him. Jesus reminds us that God causes the sun to shine on the evil and the good. He also sends rain on the just and unjust. God has enemies, the evil and unjust. Yet He loves them.
7. Do you consider yourself to be a friend or enemy of God?
Read Colossians 1:1-22.
8. Have you ever been an enemy of God?
9. Knowing that you were once God’s enemy through disobedience, does God’s response of love towards you when you were His enemy change how you should respond to your enemies?
At the beginning of this lesson, I asked the question, “Have you ever had to reevaluate something that you believed to be true for a long time?”
Maybe you have held on to the belief for a long time that it is okay to hate your enemies, retaliate, and take vengeance into your own hands. My personal experience in dealing with my enemies is this - at the end of the day, I still have enemies when I respond with hate and vengeance.
We can see through the Scriptures that God is moving us to something greater - loving our enemies with the goal of reconciliation. I know what you are probably thinking, “There is no way that I will ever be friends with _________________________. The past has produced too much pain and too much suffering. Healing this relationship would be too difficult, if not impossible!”
Jesus never mentions “easy” in His teaching. In fact, His challenge is to avoid the easy. Matthew 5:46–47 says, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”
There is no reward in loving those that already love you or those that think and act the way you do. Jesus states that even those that do not know God or have a relationship with Him love in that way. The reward spoken of here is reconciliation, transforming an enemy into a friend. This can only be done through a relationship with God and trusting His ability to reconcile hearts to Himself. God’s standard is always Himself. As sons and daughters, we always look to our Heavenly Father on how we should act and think.
Matthew 5:48 continues, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Take a moment and think about how you are currently responding to an enemy you may have. It is someone who has hurt you or someone who does not think the way you do.
10. Write down how you are currently acting. Be truthful.
11. Now write down, as a child of God, what God is saying to you and how you should respond going forward.
Acting in love towards an enemy is rarely easy, yet we must respond with love if we are ever to reap the reward of reconciliation. Notice that our Lord gives no guarantee on how our enemies will respond to love. He just asks us to trust Him and act according to His example.
Pray for His direction.
Pray for His power.
Pray for reconciliation.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18
Lesson Nine • Love Your Enemies
John Rigg
1. Have you ever had to reevaluate something that you believed to be true for a long time?
Let me give you a couple of examples of beliefs I once had, but now know differently.
I used to believe that cracking your knuckles will one day lead to arthritis. However, after years of not cracking my knuckles and scolding those who did, I found out that although cracking your knuckles is extremely annoying and distracting to those around you, this displacement of “synovial fluid” from in between your joints does not lead to arthritis as is often claimed.
How about this? “Coffee stunts your growth.” Although there are probably some good reasons you do not want your young children drinking large amounts of caffeinated anything, there is no scientific evidence that coffee slows down the growth process. Even though I did not start drinking coffee until an adult, I am relieved that my vertically challenged life is not inhibited by my love for coffee.
2. Write down something that you once believed to be true and now are persuaded to believe differently.
As you have probably already noticed in our study of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus opens every major section by challenging His hearers and us, to believe differently than what we have previously been taught. This next section is no different.
Matthew 5:43 says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”
In Jesus’ day, the Jews were instructed by the Pharisees and other religious leaders, to live and act according to the Law of Moses. It is probable that the “you have heard that is was said” portion of verse 43, was referring to what the Pharisees had been teaching in the synagogue.
3. So according to verse 43, what had the Pharisees been saying?
Although we cannot be certain, they were probably teaching from Leviticus 19:18 which says, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
4. What portion of the Law were the Pharisees teaching properly? Which part were they implying was okay to do?
Nowhere in Scripture do we read of God giving His people the liberty to hate their enemies. In fact, this is the very thing Jesus is teaching against.
Matthew 5:44–45 adds, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
It is a great misrepresentation of the character of God when His “sons and daughters” act contrary to who He is. When Jesus says, “But I say to you,” He is helping everyone reevaluate their current belief that it is ok to hate their enemies and replace their response with love and prayer. This is the true character of God.
5. What does acting towards our enemies in love do for them? For us?
6. How does praying for our enemies benefit them? What does it do for us?
It is easy for us to understand Jesus’ teaching here; however, it is a much more difficult task to execute. Adopting God’s temperament towards our enemies is no doubt a reflection of our relationship with Him and our willingness to trust Him in our responses to those we consider our enemies.
Although God’s command to love our enemies should be sufficient for us, He is kind enough to remind us of how He responds to evil and unjust people through His creation each day (Matthew 5:45).
Notice, God’s character is on display through His actions towards all people, not just the good or those who choose to love Him. Jesus reminds us that God causes the sun to shine on the evil and the good. He also sends rain on the just and unjust. God has enemies, the evil and unjust. Yet He loves them.
7. Do you consider yourself to be a friend or enemy of God?
Read Colossians 1:1-22.
8. Have you ever been an enemy of God?
9. Knowing that you were once God’s enemy through disobedience, does God’s response of love towards you when you were His enemy change how you should respond to your enemies?
At the beginning of this lesson, I asked the question, “Have you ever had to reevaluate something that you believed to be true for a long time?”
Maybe you have held on to the belief for a long time that it is okay to hate your enemies, retaliate, and take vengeance into your own hands. My personal experience in dealing with my enemies is this - at the end of the day, I still have enemies when I respond with hate and vengeance.
We can see through the Scriptures that God is moving us to something greater - loving our enemies with the goal of reconciliation. I know what you are probably thinking, “There is no way that I will ever be friends with _________________________. The past has produced too much pain and too much suffering. Healing this relationship would be too difficult, if not impossible!”
Jesus never mentions “easy” in His teaching. In fact, His challenge is to avoid the easy. Matthew 5:46–47 says, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”
There is no reward in loving those that already love you or those that think and act the way you do. Jesus states that even those that do not know God or have a relationship with Him love in that way. The reward spoken of here is reconciliation, transforming an enemy into a friend. This can only be done through a relationship with God and trusting His ability to reconcile hearts to Himself. God’s standard is always Himself. As sons and daughters, we always look to our Heavenly Father on how we should act and think.
Matthew 5:48 continues, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Take a moment and think about how you are currently responding to an enemy you may have. It is someone who has hurt you or someone who does not think the way you do.
10. Write down how you are currently acting. Be truthful.
11. Now write down, as a child of God, what God is saying to you and how you should respond going forward.
Acting in love towards an enemy is rarely easy, yet we must respond with love if we are ever to reap the reward of reconciliation. Notice that our Lord gives no guarantee on how our enemies will respond to love. He just asks us to trust Him and act according to His example.
Pray for His direction.
Pray for His power.
Pray for reconciliation.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18
Let me give you a couple of examples of beliefs I once had, but now know differently.
I used to believe that cracking your knuckles will one day lead to arthritis. However, after years of not cracking my knuckles and scolding those who did, I found out that although cracking your knuckles is extremely annoying and distracting to those around you, this displacement of “synovial fluid” from in between your joints does not lead to arthritis as is often claimed.
How about this? “Coffee stunts your growth.” Although there are probably some good reasons you do not want your young children drinking large amounts of caffeinated anything, there is no scientific evidence that coffee slows down the growth process. Even though I did not start drinking coffee until an adult, I am relieved that my vertically challenged life is not inhibited by my love for coffee.
2. Write down something that you once believed to be true and now are persuaded to believe differently.
As you have probably already noticed in our study of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus opens every major section by challenging His hearers and us, to believe differently than what we have previously been taught. This next section is no different.
Matthew 5:43 says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”
In Jesus’ day, the Jews were instructed by the Pharisees and other religious leaders, to live and act according to the Law of Moses. It is probable that the “you have heard that is was said” portion of verse 43, was referring to what the Pharisees had been teaching in the synagogue.
3. So according to verse 43, what had the Pharisees been saying?
Although we cannot be certain, they were probably teaching from Leviticus 19:18 which says, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
4. What portion of the Law were the Pharisees teaching properly? Which part were they implying was okay to do?
Nowhere in Scripture do we read of God giving His people the liberty to hate their enemies. In fact, this is the very thing Jesus is teaching against.
Matthew 5:44–45 adds, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
It is a great misrepresentation of the character of God when His “sons and daughters” act contrary to who He is. When Jesus says, “But I say to you,” He is helping everyone reevaluate their current belief that it is ok to hate their enemies and replace their response with love and prayer. This is the true character of God.
5. What does acting towards our enemies in love do for them? For us?
6. How does praying for our enemies benefit them? What does it do for us?
It is easy for us to understand Jesus’ teaching here; however, it is a much more difficult task to execute. Adopting God’s temperament towards our enemies is no doubt a reflection of our relationship with Him and our willingness to trust Him in our responses to those we consider our enemies.
Although God’s command to love our enemies should be sufficient for us, He is kind enough to remind us of how He responds to evil and unjust people through His creation each day (Matthew 5:45).
Notice, God’s character is on display through His actions towards all people, not just the good or those who choose to love Him. Jesus reminds us that God causes the sun to shine on the evil and the good. He also sends rain on the just and unjust. God has enemies, the evil and unjust. Yet He loves them.
7. Do you consider yourself to be a friend or enemy of God?
Read Colossians 1:1-22.
8. Have you ever been an enemy of God?
9. Knowing that you were once God’s enemy through disobedience, does God’s response of love towards you when you were His enemy change how you should respond to your enemies?
At the beginning of this lesson, I asked the question, “Have you ever had to reevaluate something that you believed to be true for a long time?”
Maybe you have held on to the belief for a long time that it is okay to hate your enemies, retaliate, and take vengeance into your own hands. My personal experience in dealing with my enemies is this - at the end of the day, I still have enemies when I respond with hate and vengeance.
We can see through the Scriptures that God is moving us to something greater - loving our enemies with the goal of reconciliation. I know what you are probably thinking, “There is no way that I will ever be friends with _________________________. The past has produced too much pain and too much suffering. Healing this relationship would be too difficult, if not impossible!”
Jesus never mentions “easy” in His teaching. In fact, His challenge is to avoid the easy. Matthew 5:46–47 says, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”
There is no reward in loving those that already love you or those that think and act the way you do. Jesus states that even those that do not know God or have a relationship with Him love in that way. The reward spoken of here is reconciliation, transforming an enemy into a friend. This can only be done through a relationship with God and trusting His ability to reconcile hearts to Himself. God’s standard is always Himself. As sons and daughters, we always look to our Heavenly Father on how we should act and think.
Matthew 5:48 continues, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Take a moment and think about how you are currently responding to an enemy you may have. It is someone who has hurt you or someone who does not think the way you do.
10. Write down how you are currently acting. Be truthful.
11. Now write down, as a child of God, what God is saying to you and how you should respond going forward.
Acting in love towards an enemy is rarely easy, yet we must respond with love if we are ever to reap the reward of reconciliation. Notice that our Lord gives no guarantee on how our enemies will respond to love. He just asks us to trust Him and act according to His example.
Pray for His direction.
Pray for His power.
Pray for reconciliation.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18