“Loving an enemy does not require surrendering the truth. It requires refusing to surrender their humanity.” — Alma Ohene-Opare
Commentary:
Jesus commanded us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and do good to those who hate us. He gave that command knowing that some people would treat His followers unjustly. Love, then, is more than a feeling we offer to people who make it easy. It is a choice to seek another person’s good even when we must firmly oppose what they say or do.
Our society often treats disagreement as evidence that the other person is foolish or beyond reason. Once we see someone that way, ridicule feels justified and cruelty can start to look like courage. But every person we argue with is a child of God, with a life and concerns we may not understand. We can defend our convictions without assuming the worst about their motives. We can speak plainly, listen carefully, and refuse to make contempt the price of standing for truth.
Loving those who persecute us does not mean excusing harm or abandoning wise boundaries. It means we do not let their conduct decide our character. A person may reject our kindness, but we remain free to offer it. We may never persuade an opponent, but we can still pray for them, tell the truth about them, and help them when they are in need. That is the higher standard Jesus lived, and choosing it draws us closer to Him.
Scripture:
“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
Daily Application:
Choose one person with whom you strongly disagree. Pray for their welfare today, then look for one opportunity to speak about them fairly or do them a concrete good.