The Christian response in 2016 to a turbulent world where the enemy seems poised to lie, kill and destroy us must be radical love and forgiveness. It has to originate in faith, in the God of Love who according to John “ so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  Our response to forgiveness must be that of Jesus who crucified cried out,   “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

With that as a friend of mine often asks, “And now…?” And now, how do we love? And now, what does forgiveness require? I can say I love and forgive the enemy in my head and be done with it. We can even repeat Jesus’ words  without following through in the Holy Spirit’s power to actually love and forgive that person.

In every encounter with the Pharisees Jesus turned their legalism upside down by contrasting the old Mosaic law to the new law which revealed  God’s heart. The law demanded an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but Jesus  spoke  all of the law into a different spiritual realm, into the kingdom of God. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord repeatedly states,  You have heard it said…

But I say… Do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well Matthew 25: 39

What follows the “ but” of Jesus’ teaching, convicts, challenges and exposes all shallowness, legalism and hardness of hearts.

You have heard it said Love your neighbor and hate your enemy ‘But I tell you, love your enemies.’

I am sure the crowd was shocked, some sniggered and many who were angered at Jesus’ words! Are you kidding us? Love the enemies of the Jews? Love the oppressive, tax burdening, enslaving Romans? Love Caesar? You are mad, Rabbi!

Hardly mad. Jesus then clarified exactly what it means to love your enemies.

Bless those who curse you.  Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 25:44

There is absolutely no spiritual wiggle room about what Jesus meant. He laid out   the Father’s will on earth as it is in heaven for He was describing the kingdom of God to His disciples. His instructions to Christians today are still crystal clear. We are to bless, do good and pray for our enemies.

Bless them with our words by not giving in to fear, despair or hatred. Do radical good. Bring light into the darkness whenever possible. Pray always and unceasingly for their souls for “they don’t know what they are doing.” It is possible to love our enemies despite the growing firestorms all over the planet   threatening Christians, but it can’t be on the world’s carnal terms. Only Christ’s perfect love in us enables us to love our enemies as God loved us, “to become perfect, just as our Father in heaven is perfect.”