Biblical Answer

The Biblical Teaching on Love for Enemies

The biblical teaching on love for enemies is not a new concept, but rather a reiteration of the existing moral law in the Old Testament. In the book of Exodus, God commands His people to love their neighbors as themselves (Exod. 20:6; Deut. 6:5). This commandment is a summary of the whole moral law, which includes loving God and loving one's neighbor (Lev. 19:18). The concept of loving one's enemy is not a new addition to the moral law, but rather a widening of the scope of love to include even those who are hostile towards us.

The Consistency of Jesus' Teaching

Jesus' teaching on loving one's enemies is consistent with the existing moral law in the Old Testament. In fact, Jesus goes beyond the traditional Jewish teaching, which allowed for hatred towards one's enemies (Matt. 5:43). Instead, Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies, just as God loves them (Matt. 5:45). This love is not a selective love, but rather a love that is extended to all people, including those who are hostile towards us. The New Testament teaches that our love for our enemies reflects God's love for us (Matt. 5:43-48).

Practical Application

So, how do we apply the biblical teaching on love for enemies to our conflicts with those who are hostile towards us? First, we must recognize that our love is not based on our own emotions or feelings, but rather on the love of God that is in us (John 17:26; Rom. 5:5). Second, we must be willing to love our enemies in the same way that God loves us, even if they do not deserve it. This means that we must be willing to forgive them, just as God forgives us (Matt. 6:14-15). Finally, we must be willing to love our enemies in a way that is consistent with the moral law, which includes loving God and loving our neighbors (Lev. 19:18). By doing so, we demonstrate our commitment to the biblical teaching on love and show the world what it means to follow Jesus.