Love Your Enemies
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.”
Luke 6:27–29
During the Revolutionary War, a Baptist preacher from Pennsylvania who was a friend of George Washington made a seventy-mile trip on foot to Philadelphia. He came to plead for the life of Michael Wittman who had been sentenced to die for treason. Miller’s initial request was refused. Washington said, “I cannot grant the life of your friend.” Miller then told Washington that Wittman was not his friend, but rather a man who had opposed and obstructed his ministry at every opportunity. Washington said, “You walked seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? I will grant the pardon.” Miller took Wittman home, no longer an enemy, but a friend.
As we live in a society that is becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity, we are going to have more opportunities to love our enemies. Loving them certainly does not mean that we stop proclaiming and defending the truth. A doctor performing surgery to remove a malignant tumor does not hate his patient, even though he is literally cutting him open with a knife.
We must be filled with the same love that Jesus showed to those who put Him on the cross. Jesus was not overpowered or caught off guard by the cross. He was a willing sacrifice for our sins. He said of His life, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:18).
Luke 6:27–29
During the Revolutionary War, a Baptist preacher from Pennsylvania who was a friend of George Washington made a seventy-mile trip on foot to Philadelphia. He came to plead for the life of Michael Wittman who had been sentenced to die for treason. Miller’s initial request was refused. Washington said, “I cannot grant the life of your friend.” Miller then told Washington that Wittman was not his friend, but rather a man who had opposed and obstructed his ministry at every opportunity. Washington said, “You walked seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? I will grant the pardon.” Miller took Wittman home, no longer an enemy, but a friend.
As we live in a society that is becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity, we are going to have more opportunities to love our enemies. Loving them certainly does not mean that we stop proclaiming and defending the truth. A doctor performing surgery to remove a malignant tumor does not hate his patient, even though he is literally cutting him open with a knife.
We must be filled with the same love that Jesus showed to those who put Him on the cross. Jesus was not overpowered or caught off guard by the cross. He was a willing sacrifice for our sins. He said of His life, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:18).
Today’s Growth Principle:
Demonstrating genuine love for those who oppose and attack us is the most Christlike thing we can do.
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