A Life of Faith

Have you ever thought that God was asking the impossible when He asked us to love our enemies? What could be harder than loving someone who has shown nothing but hatred and hostility towards you? It doesn't make any sense! But that's when we have to go back to the Word of God, our resource for understanding truth for our lives!

And what do we find in the Scriptures? That God agrees with us! It is impossible for us, mere humans, to love our enemies! But when we turn to the supernatural power of God in our lives, watch out! "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible' " (Matthew 19:26). Jesus was talking with his disciples about how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven when he quoted this verse. But this single truth, "with God all things are possible," applies to our lives in so many other ways, especially when it comes to God's command to love our enemies!

ELSIE HAD ENEMIES TOO

Elsie faced many instances when she was treated very unfairly--even downright viciously--so she knew what it meant to have "enemies." Living at Roselands Plantation was a tremendous challenge for Elsie. At times it seemed like everyone was against her. But even in those situations, Elsie loved her enemies. Here is an example:

"You're thinking about Arthur," Horace observed accurately. "I will find it very hard to forgive him. I know all about what happened and how badly he has treated you." Then he recounted to Elsie everything that had occurred that evening.

Tears welled in Elsie's eyes and tumbled down her cheeks. "I don't understand," she said, "why Arthur hates me so. I've always tried to be kind to him. I had to tell on him once -- that time when he blamed Jim for breaking Grandpa's watch. But that was the only time."

Horace put a comforting arm around her. "You no longer have to worry about him, Elsie. He is being sent away to boarding school, so he will have no more opportunities to hurt you."

Elsie stiffened. "Boarding school?" she said with a sharp little cry. "Oh, Papa, that's terrible! I can't think of anything worse than being sent away and having to live with strangers. Can't you ask Grandpa to forgive him this time? Must he be sent away?"

Elsie's reaction surprised Horace.

From Elsie's Impossible Choice, chapter 4

Despite all that Arthur had done to hurt Elsie, Elsie still had compassion for Arthur and didn't want to see him sent away! It's amazing! Anyone else would have been delighted to see Arthur suffer. Anyone else would have desired revenge. But not Elsie.

DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE

So how was Elsie able to love and care for Arthur even though he was like an enemy towards her? The answer is found in the conversation that happened just before the above dialogue between Elsie and her father. Elsie had just had her father read to her Luke 23. Look at the impact it had on her:

As Horace read, in his fine, clear voice, Elsie closed her eyes and a look of peace seemed to fill her face.

When he finished, Horace asked, "What made you choose this chapter, my dear?

"Because it is all about Jesus and tells us how patiently He bore sorrow and suffering. I want so much to be like Him, Papa. To hear about Him makes it easier for me to forgive and be patient, just as He forgave."

That tells us Elsie's secret--she strived to become more like Jesus. She looked to His example as a model and she looked to His Word for strength.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT WHY TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES

Let's look at the passage of Scripture where Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. This passage is found in Matthew 5:43-48.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteousness and the unrighteousness. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

To explain this in another way, Jesus also tells us that we are light in our dark world just a few verses before this one (Matt. 5:14-16). One way we shine our light is by loving those who persecute us! Elsie was a bright light in the Dinsmore family! By responding to the cruelty she faced with love and forgiveness, she was shining Jesus' light! Just like the above passage states, even unbelievers love each other, but do unbelievers love their enemies? In most cases, no! Many unbelievers look for ways to get revenge on their enemies. That's why we are called to love even our enemies, because it casts God's life-giving light into our dark and lost world! And it sets us apart from unbelieving people.

WE WERE GOD'S ENEMIES AND HE CHOSE TO LOVE US!

While we were still sinners and enemies of God, God loved us and sent his son to die for us (Romans 5:8)! And Jesus loved us so much that he willingly died for our sins! God's desire for each of us is that we grow in more likeness of his son, Jesus. Jesus loved both his enemies and his friends, and we need to follow his example and extend love to the difficult people in our lives. This is how God's Kingdom is expanded! We need to share God's love with all people in the hope that they will accept Christ as their own Savior!

LOVE STARTS IN THE HEART

As Elsie learned, loving your enemies starts in your heart. Love is when you choose to pray for them instead of resenting them or wishing bad upon them. It is seeing them through the eyes of Christ and growing in compassion and mercy for them. Loving your enemies does not mean that you have to continually try to get on their good side, try to become their best friend, buy them gifts, shower them with compliments or things like that. It simply means changing your attitude toward them, and that starts in the heart. Who knows how God will begin to work in the situation when you pray for your enemies and learn to love them as Christ loves them! He may even give opportunities for reconciliation within the relationship. For, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

The Scriptures warn us that the world will reject us because of Christ. We shouldn't be surprised when people resist God's love and reject us for following Him. The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:18, "For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ."   It broke Paul's heart to see and know that many people rejected Christ. But this did not stop Paul from running the race and following hard after God in his own life. And it didn't stop Paul from loving them with the love of Christ. Elsie also responded with heartache and tears for Arthur, who rejected good to do evil. We can do the same by asking God to help us love our enemies! God will tenderize our hearts as we seek Him, and we, just like Elsie, will be able to love our enemies.

If Elsie could love her enemies, so can you! Here are some helpful hints:

1. Turn to your Bible for guidance, comfort, and wisdom.

Elsie was encouraged and strengthened when she read passages from Scripture. She took the messages in the Word of God to heart and applied them to her own life. Although she was young, Elsie had great wisdom! "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:1-5)

2. Strive to grow in your relationship with Christ.

Elsie spent time with God every day. She talked to God openly about her feelings, thoughts, and desires. The more time you spend with the Father, the more you learn about Him and His perfect ways for your life! And the deeper you fall in love with your Heavenly Creator, the easier it will become to love others, even your enemies! God's love will begin to flow from you like a natural spring! "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:38)

3. Pray! Pray! Pray!

The Bible instructs us to pray for our enemies. It may not be easy at first, but simply ask the Lord to help you grow a new love and compassion for your enemies, and ask the Lord to help those who hurt others. "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." (Romans 12:14)

4. Remember that you have a choice - choose love!

Even when your enemies are blatantly snapping at your heels, remember that you have the power to choose how you will respond. Elsie responded by forgiving and praying for her enemies. It's not always an easy choice, especially when all you really want to do is fight back with harsh words! But as a Christian, you now have the freedom to choose to do good instead of evil. You are no longer a slave to your fleshly desires, which instinctively want to return hatred with hatred. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

A FINAL NOTE

Loving our enemies is no easy task. But it is a life-long assignment from our Heavenly Father! By turning to the Lord for compassion and wisdom, we can learn to love all people, just as Christ loves all people - yes, even our worst enemies. Be encouraged that each time you repay evil with love and forgiveness, you are shining a holy light in a dark world! God will bless you for obeying His Word, and you will feel the wonderful sensation that comes only from walking closely with our Lord! So don't be afraid - be love to those around you!

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)