I’m going to share Jesus’ famous statement about loving our enemies. Then I’m going to point out what is perhaps the most neglected part of that statement:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor 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” (Matthew 5:43-45).

In my experience, the most neglected part of that statement is the last line: “so that you may be sons (i.e. children) of your Father who is in heaven.”

Here’s why it matters. As the rest of the paragraph goes on to explain, God blesses all sorts of people, both good and bad. Therefore, one of the reasons we are supposed to love our enemies is because that’s what our God is like.

When we love others—including enemies—we are bearing the family resemblance.

Have you ever seen a child and known instantly who their parent was? That happened to me this past summer at Vacation Bible Camp. I saw a child I had never seen before. However, he had a striking resemblance to his mother. “Is your mom so-and-so?” I asked. “Yup.” It was easy to tell because of the strong family resemblance.

In a similar (but spiritual) way, loving our enemies is bearing the family resemblance because we belong to a God who showers mercy to all sorts. Because of the Holy Spirit, it’s in our spiritual genes.

Loving enemies isn’t always easy. There are times when praying for those who persecute us does not feel natural. But the narrow path isn’t called the narrow path by accident. It’s a deliberate choice, made in faith, to follow the light-drenched path of Christ instead of the darkened path of a wayward world.

Even with all our imperfections, let’s rely on God, reflect his character, and love our enemies.

Notes:

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.