{See below for a vacation notice.}

Why are we supposed to love our enemies?

It’s a big question. I recently dedicated an entire sermon to the subject (which can you access in the footnotes below if you’re interested).

Among the many answers to this question, here’s one that is worth pondering. People who are radically loved, love radically. 

Granted, we often get it wrong, mess up, and spend our entire lives trying to improve, but listen to the logic.

All of us sin. You sometimes hear it said that there are two categories of sin. There are sins of commission and sins of omission. Sins of commission are sins you “commit.” Makes sense. Sins of omission, on the other hand, are things you should do but don’t. You “omit” them. 

Unfortunately, we’re all guilty on both counts!

Despite this hard truth, there is good news: in Christ God chooses us, forgives us, adopts us, and blesses us!

One of Jesus’ apostles describes the logic like this: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11).

Let me be super clear: You sin. A lot. But in Christ, God chooses, forgives, adopts and blesses you. Since you increasingly appreciate how radically loved you are, you start to spill over. With God’s help, you start to love radically.

Do your adversaries deserve to be loved? Probably not.

But neither do you!

It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it? But Jesus taught it, exemplified it, and told us to do it. It’s the kind of thing that changes the world.

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

People who are radically loved, love radically.

Notes:

-“Why are we supposed to love our enemies?” Click here. August 3, 2025. Sermon.

–Vacation notice: The Up Devotional will go on pause after this week, resuming September 1, 2025 (when I come back from vacation). Past episodes can be found at TheUpDevo.com, or you can listen to the podcast through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc. You may also want to purchase the ‘Turbulence’ book on Amazon!

-Bible quotes are from the NIV.