Matthew 5:44 – “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
As Christians, we are called to love our enemies, which certainly includes those who simply disagree with our beliefs and way of life. True love is rooted in giving—a principle God Himself demonstrated by giving His Son so that we might have eternal life. The Apostle Paul provides specific instructions on how we should express love toward our enemies:
Romans 12:20 – “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”
While feeding and giving drink to an enemy are straightforward acts of kindness, the phrase “heap coals of fire on his head” may be less immediately understood. The general meaning is that such acts of love and kindness can stir an enemy’s conscience, leading them to a sense of shame for their mistreatment of you. The ultimate hope is that this conviction will guide them to repentance, aligning their beliefs and lifestyle with God’s truth.
The greatest example of loving those who oppose us comes from Jesus Himself:
Luke 23:34 – “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Even as He was being crucified, Jesus recognized that those who put Him to death acted out of ignorance. They neither understood who He was nor the truth He preached. Though they rejected His teachings and His way of life, His response was not anger or retaliation—it was prayer and forgiveness.Similarly, many people today live in opposition to the Scriptures simply because they do not understand them. Rather than treating them with hostility, we are called to respond with kindness and prayer. By doing so, we reflect the love of Christ and may even help lead them to a deeper understanding of God’s truth—turning an enemy into a brother or sister in Christ.