In the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches about love for one’s enemies. Here we can see what the Master commands us to do with those who mistreat the children of God.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:44: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”.
We must understand that Jesus’ purpose was for the disciples and those who listened to this sermon to learn this teaching.
The question is: should we do what Jesus tells us in this chapter?
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44
It is important that we act correctly before the Lord and follow what He tells us in this verse. We must do good to those who hate us, and thus we will be pleasing to God if we fulfill this command.
Let us love our enemies and do good to those who curse us, because we must remember that God sees our fulfillment, and even if we are killed for His sake, we will have eternal life.
Brothers in Christ Jesus, we must obey the Lord and love our enemies, no matter how many they are or how much they hate us. God will be with us, He will help us, and they will be called to account to be judged for their works.
This teaching of Jesus is one of the most challenging commands in all of Scripture, because it goes directly against human nature. As human beings, our instinct is to defend ourselves, to repay offense with offense, and to respond to hatred with resentment. However, Jesus calls His followers to live by a higher standard, one that reflects the character and mercy of God Himself.
Loving our enemies does not mean approving of their evil actions or pretending that injustice does not exist. Rather, it means refusing to allow hatred to take root in our hearts. Jesus teaches us to respond with love so that evil does not multiply. When we choose to bless instead of curse, we break the cycle of vengeance and demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel.
To pray for those who persecute us is also an act of deep faith. When we pray for our enemies, we place the situation in God’s hands instead of trying to take revenge ourselves. Prayer changes our hearts, softens our attitudes, and reminds us that God is the ultimate judge. He sees every injustice, every tear, and every act of faithfulness.
Jesus Himself is the greatest example of this teaching. While He was mocked, beaten, and crucified, He prayed for those who were killing Him. His life shows us that love for enemies is not weakness, but spiritual strength. Through His sacrifice, He demonstrated that love has the power to overcome hatred and death.
For the believer, obeying this command is a testimony to the world. When others see us responding with love in the face of hatred, they witness something that cannot be explained by human reasoning alone. This kind of love points directly to Christ and reveals the reality of God’s kingdom at work in our lives.
We must also remember that loving our enemies does not mean walking alone. God promises to be with His children, to give them wisdom, strength, and peace in the midst of trials. When we obey His Word, even in difficult circumstances, He sustains us and fills us with His grace.
Finally, loving our enemies is an expression of our hope in eternal life. We trust that God is just and that He will reward faithfulness. Even if obedience leads to suffering, we know that our reward is not of this world. Let us therefore remain firm, loving even those who oppose us, and walking faithfully in the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.