The Call That Comes From the King

Jesus did not soften the command. He said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44). He tied this love to our identity: “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). He meant it literally.

Luke records the same charge with practical teeth: “But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27–28). He repeated it again, promising a reward and anchoring it in the Father’s character: “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35).

Why Enemy-Love Reveals Maturity

Enemy-love displays the family resemblance. The Father loves His enemies with real, providential care. Jesus calls us to grow into that likeness: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This is not sentimental softness; it is holy, rugged obedience that refuses the world’s cycle of retaliation.

The Spirit grows this in us as a fruit of real sanctification: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). Mature believers embody these graces precisely where flesh would rather strike back.

- It reflects the Father’s character (Matthew 5:45, 48).

- It fulfills Christ’s command and shapes our witness (John 13:34–35; Matthew 5:16).

- It proves the Spirit’s work in us (Galatians 5:22–23).

- It rejects vengeance and overcomes evil with good (Romans 12:19–21).

- It secures a promised reward (Luke 6:35).

Christ’s Pattern, Our Path

Our Lord walked this road first. “When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). At the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Stephen followed faithfully: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).

We love because we have been loved beyond our demerit. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Maturity learns to extend to enemies the mercy God extended to us “while we were enemies” (Romans 5:10).

- Receive Christ’s mercy afresh.

- Entrust justice to the Judge.

- Bless with your lips.

- Do tangible good.

- Persevere when it costs.

What Enemy-Love Actually Does

Enemy-love is not vague sentiment. Scripture paints concrete actions that disciples can obey daily.

- Pray by name: “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44); “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14).

- Do practical good: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head” (Romans 12:20; Proverbs 25:21–22).

- Speak graciously: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6); “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

- Pursue peace and reconciliation where possible: “First go and be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:23–24); “Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

- Refuse gloating and bitterness: “Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles” (Proverbs 24:17–18); “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

This love does not enable evil or abandon justice. Scripture distinguishes personal forgiveness from public justice; governing authorities are God’s servants for restraining wrong (Romans 13:4). Enemy-love keeps your heart Christlike while you pursue righteous, truthful steps.

Training the Heart for Enemy-Love

This maturity grows through Spirit-powered habits. Hearts are trained, not transformed by accident. Build deliberate practices that aim your affections toward obedience when emotions lag behind.

- Memorize and recite Matthew 5:43–48; Luke 6:27–36; Romans 12:9–21 until they shape instinct.

- Keep a prayer list of adversaries; ask God for their salvation and good.

- Fast regularly with the specific aim of softening your heart toward opponents.

- Send simple, real blessings: a note, a gift card, a meal, an introduction for employment.

- Speak well of adversaries when truth allows; refuse gossip and exaggeration.

- Journal evidences of God’s mercy to you; connect His mercy to your next opportunity to bless.

Local churches can normalize these habits in community. Testify to answered prayers for opponents. Celebrate reconciliations. Train small groups to role-play peacemaking and blessing under pressure.

When Wounds Are Fresh and Deep

Some hurts are brutal. Scripture validates grief and laments. The command to love enemies does not deny pain; it directs pain to God, who judges justly, and keeps us from wicked responses. “It keeps no account of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5), not because the wounds were light, but because Christ’s cross is sufficient.

Forgiveness can be immediate in the heart and progressive in depth. Full reconciliation may require repentance, safety, and time. “Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). God’s grace enables both truth and tenderness.

- Maintain wise boundaries; love does not grant abusers unchecked access (Proverbs 22:3).

- Seek help from elders and counselors when trauma is involved.

- Use Matthew 18’s process for sin in the church with sobriety and care.

- In criminal matters, honor Romans 13 by reporting to appropriate authorities.

- Keep your heart clear before God; release personal vengeance; ask Him to act.

A Witness That Disarms the World

Enemy-love adorns the gospel. “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34–35). When the church blesses persecutors and does good to those who oppose her, the world sees a supernatural life.

This love shines in public square and private life. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Evangelism gains credibility when our conduct matches our confession.

Building Cultures of Enemy-Love

Congregations can cultivate this maturity together. Leaders and members share the load of modeling, training, and celebrating obedience in hard spaces.

- Preach the whole counsel of God on forgiveness, justice, and peacemaking.

- Share testimonies of reconciliation and answered prayer for adversaries.

- Schedule regular intercession for persecutors, critics, and rival groups in your city.

- Engage in mercy ministries that include those who have opposed you.

- Teach biblical conflict resolution and church discipline with tears and hope.

- Coach members on gracious online speech and truth-telling without malice.

Over time this forms a gospel ecosystem where enemy-love is normal, not novel. Disciples are discipled into a reflex of blessing, not retaliation.

The Certain Reward and the Long View

Jesus promises reward for this obedience: “Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High” (Luke 6:35). He also promises a family likeness that cannot be counterfeited. This is long-game faithfulness that trusts God to vindicate in His time.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). In every season, the path is the same: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). This is the mark of maturity that carries the aroma of Christ to a hostile world.

- Personal vengeance is forbidden; divine justice is final (Romans 12:19–21).

- Civil authority is God’s servant to restrain evil (Romans 13:1–4). Reporting crimes, testifying truthfully, and seeking protection are acts of love for neighbor.

- Christians can support just penalties while keeping a heart tender and prayerful for offenders’ salvation.

- Church Discipline and Enemy-Love

- Enemy-love does not cancel discipline; it purifies it. Matthew 18:15–17 calls for private confrontation, then plural witnesses, then church action—aimed at repentance and restoration.

- Persistent, unrepentant wickedness can require removal (1 Corinthians 5:11–13). Even then, the posture is redemptive, not vindictive, praying for repentance and rescue.

- The Meaning of “Burning Coals”

- Proverbs 25:21–22, repeated in Romans 12:20, promises that doing good to enemies “will heap burning coals on his head.” Many understand this as the pain of conviction leading to repentance; others see a picture of shame that deters evil.

- Both readings support the same obedience: respond to evil with generous good and leave the moral outcome to God.

- Imprecatory Psalms and Blessing Enemies

- The Psalms give Spirit-inspired prayers for justice that hand vengeance to God, not to self (e.g., Psalm 35, 69). These are not personal vendettas; they are covenant pleas rooted in God’s holiness.

- The same Scripture commands, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14). The balance is this: bless with your mouth and deeds, while entrusting ultimate justice to God’s perfect court.

- Boundaries, Safety, and Truth-Telling

- Love confronts lies and protects the vulnerable. It refuses to cover up harm. Truth and light are instruments of love (Ephesians 4:15).

- Boundaries can be an expression of love to restrain a sinner’s harm and to guard others. Repentance opens doors; unrepentance keeps them guarded.

- Formation Strategies for Teams and Families

- Build a family liturgy of blessing: weekly prayer for hard relationships by name.

- Teach children to respond to insults with blessing and to seek help from authorities when wronged.

- In ministry teams, adopt a covenant for gracious speech (Colossians 4:6) and a plan for rapid reconciliation (Matthew 5:23–24).

- Speaking the Gospel to Enemies

- Share Christ’s cross as your rationale for forgiveness (Romans 5:10).

- Offer to pray for needs. Ask if you can serve in practical ways.

- Keep short accounts; when you sin, confess quickly and ask forgiveness. Soft hearts often soften hearts.

- Handling Online Hostility

- Refuse to return sarcasm for sarcasm. Let your words be seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6).

- Do not amplify slander. Verify facts. Decline to assign motives.

- When necessary, offer private outreach before public response (Matthew 18:15).

- Team Dynamics Under Persecution

- Prepare in advance. Practice blessing and non-retaliation drills.

- Establish a prayer chain for opponents, persecutors, and accusers; keep records of answered prayer.

- Debrief after incidents; name the pain, read 1 Peter 2, and entrust all to Him who judges justly.

- Counseling the Wounded

- Normalize lament and grief while pointing to the cross where justice and mercy meet.

- Set a pace of forgiveness appropriate to trauma, with patient pastoral care.

- Encourage sacramental rhythms (Word, fellowship, Lord’s Table) that rebuild assurance and soften bitterness.

- Co-Laboring with Conscience and Calling

- Some are called to peacemaking frontline work; others serve by intercession and support.

- All are called to the same posture of blessing. Different roles, same cross-shaped love.

- Guarding the Flock from Wolves

- Enemy-love never invites wolves to devour sheep. Elders must rebuke sharply when necessary (Titus 1:9–11) and mark divisive persons (Romans 16:17).

- Even firm rebuke can be delivered without hatred, with a desire for repentance and life.

- Sacrificial Generosity as Warfare

- Consider setting aside a portion of benevolence for blessing adversarial individuals or groups.

- Prioritize needs that demonstrate unmerited kindness and open doors for gospel conversation.

- Measuring Growth Without Pride

- Track faithfulness, not feelings: consistent prayer, acts of good, restrained speech, reconciliations pursued.

- Celebrate small obediences. Give God glory. Keep pressing toward the upward call.

- The Long Horizon of Hope

- Jesus’ promise stands: “Then your reward will be great” (Luke 6:35).

- The peacemakers will be named and owned by God as His sons (Matthew 5:9).

- The church overcomes not by force, but by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, loving not our lives even unto death (Revelation 12:11).

The path is clear, the cost is real, and the Lord is near. Bless, do good, pray, forgive, speak grace, pursue peace, uphold justice, and leave the reckoning to God. This is maturity. This is the family likeness. This is the way of Christ.