Comments on: Love Your Enemies

By: Sandrine

Sandrine — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 08:52:17 +0000

Hello Chip,

I was able to invite a friend to a restaurant this Sunday and then she wanted to introduce me to a very good friend and we went to have a snack at her place at the end of the day… My friend told me she was a believer in Jesus so I didn’t mistrust…

My friend’s friend probably didn’t like the way I talked about my experience… I was only five minutes into becoming her enemy to be shot… She insulted me for at least an hour… I had only one desire… to run away from that stream of hate speech she said was frank.

I was able to remember only two of your exhortations regarding God’s will: That our ego must die, diminish… and that we must love our enemies. And at that very moment I only managed not to insult her and throw in her face all her faults… then once I got home, to ask God to help me forgive her and no longer want her to be punished…

Her “frank accusations” still resonate in me… but if I choose the path of not holding a grudge and wanting her wickedness to be punished… no… in fact I still cannot love the torturing, murdering enemies (in words – as in Jeremiah- or others). I think I understand the idea…. (although I have the impression that it would be “giving pearls to a pig”… but really… Loving ? has a meaning and application too deep for me… I still can’t pour love on the horrible evil destructive killers… I probably still have to miss a….. The “ingredient” necessary for this implementation with God’s help.

If I end up starting to succeed in some practical applications in this field, I would say so… ?

By: Helen

Helen — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 11:56:47 +0000

Amen!
I have learnt that on my own I don’t have the capacity to love my enemies the way Christ loves. Attempting it actually triggers every bit of Self to come out of the ‘woodwork’ to go on a wild goose chase in trying to do the right thing before leaving me bitter and utterly incapable of loving anyone…
These days in the face of my ‘enemies’ I only bow and surrender my all to the Almighty to be still and know He is God. Somehow this allows Christ within me to do the loving, which comes with compassionate forgiving in ways I never could. Every time he does the impossible, I can only stand speechless in awe of Him.

I truly really see that to love our enemies is only possible in the realm of God’s Kingdom, which is indeed unlike any organisation we with human thought and effort can put together, whether we’d call it a nation or ‘church’.

By: John Campbell

John Campbell — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 11:32:30 +0000

We praise God for the excellent insights He has deposited into your heart and mind brother Chip! Yes, as Christ’s body and HIS disciples we must move in the opposite direction of the spirit of this age. Which is political distraction confusion intense bickering and rage. Loving our ” enemies” in a spirit of gentleness patience and kindness can only come from from actively walking with the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. Our REAL enemy is Satan and he loves to divide us by any means. Christ Himself Whom we are IN; is not divided. Our political feelings must become as nothing compared to what God In Christ delivered as the real Lord’s Prayer in John 17. The traditional Lord’s Prayer is the disciples prayer.. It’s crucial to be motivated by Gods love for us in order for us to love each other and our ” enemies.” Jesus Christ Himself is our New Covenant and His Law is the law of Love, Law of Liberty and Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus! Gods blessings on you and your family brother!

By: Timothy B

Timothy B — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 14:43:20 +0000

If while saying we Love our enemies, we are trying first to prove that we are right and they are wrong… that we are more deserving or in need than they are; aren’t we acting just like those “tax collectors”, of whom Jesus said do the same! Or if we only Love our Own family of believers, what more are we doing than others? Let us all therefore strive to be as our Father who is in heaven; who makes his sun shine on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Let us turn away from any and all hypocrisy, and instead of a “holier than thou” attitude, truly Love everyone enough to care about their struggles and concerns. Amen

By: Charlotte Cardozo

Charlotte Cardozo — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:07:03 +0000

In reply to sherry. Gods Grace reminds us of how Blessed we are, Christ is Gods gift to us. Thank God we can ask for His help when we go through all the forces of evil, that Christ in us is the one that loves our enemies, not I but Christ. Thank you Jesus and bless you brother Chip for these Christ centered posts, and bless the rest of you let us continue to know who we are in Christ.

By: sherry

sherry — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:37:06 +0000

ABSOLUTELY! I am in a situation right know of having to deal with a person that has a temper, controlling, manipulative and abusive.
This is from a person that is a friend, but her ways are affecting my family in a very negative way. All I know is to pray for her, and that God will give me insight on what to do. I feel sorry for this person that she carries so much hate inside. I could very easily allow her to be my enemy but I am not going to do so, even though she is very hard headed. I truly believe LOVE conquers all things as it releases us from fear and uncertainty. As I pray and continue to love her, God will make a way of a clear path for her and my family. This I believe.

By: Dave Henderson

Dave Henderson — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:25:56 +0000

I’d love to see a country base their national defense on this policy. I believe the kingdom principles not only work on individuals but also as a nation. But sadly we’ve woven too tight a web now as a nation to instigate something like this. Jesus also taught if we live by the sword we will die by the sword. This is a subject I haven’t been able to put my arms around completely but I am sure that Christ wouldn’t want me to take a person’s life simply because he hated me or my ways. I say Amen to the statement above that says Love always wins. I’ve noticed people from other countries understand this better than us Americans who are conditioned to believe he that has the biggest gun wins.

By: Martina

Martina — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:12:25 +0000

Hi! May God continuously bless you with the knowledge and wisdom that you continue to bless us with. These daily devotions are so spiritually fulfilling that even if I had not read the bible I feel good and so spiritually connected. Stay blessed and continue to be a blessing unto others like you did to me!

By: Mario C. Alleckna

Mario C. Alleckna — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:50:19 +0000

You mentioned a national defense policy…
His is a Kingdom where love is the greatest weapon, the greatest force. Love, in the end, always wins. For He is love.

Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario