Most of us would say that we do not have enemies. We don’t imagine that as we walk down the street our life is in danger because someone is trying to harm us. However, there may be people who we feel are against us because we are Christians or against us because we are Australians or against us because we belong to any minority group. It could even be that when we go to a football oval and are wearing particular colours that are different to others, we now have enemies that we didn’t even know existed. The challenge for us is to love those who are different to us, and more importantly, we are to love and forgive people who may be against us and say things about us that are untrue or unfair. Praise God because we have the example of Jesus and we see His powerful example of how he dealt with those who wanted to cause him harm. Jesus loved them and prayed for them. Jesus allowed His enemies to put Him to death but He had the victory and Jesus will be their judge in the end. However, we are not to take revenge on others. That is God’s work. Jesus loved His enemies and He said in Matthew 5….
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 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. 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? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48 ESV
Be brave, be honest and be like Christ.