Evil and Enemies #2

In Matthew 5:38-48 Jesus tells us how to respond to evil and our enemies. though you may not like having enemies, the truth is that by taking a stand for principals that are Godly, will will likely have enemies. In Romans 12:18, the Bible tells us to live at peace with all people, but there is a disclaimer added, because some people don't want to be at peace with you! "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people." Our job is to live at peace, but obviously that is difficult because we can't make others be peaceful to us.

In verse 38 Jesus says, "You have heard that is was said..." Again, he does not say, "It is written..." as he does when he quotes Scripture. Why not? Because he quotes a Scripture and adds the traditional rabbinic addition to the passage, "'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy."' Leviticus 19 says, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself, I am the LORD." Notice that in the Old Testament passage, there is not an instruction to, "hate your enemy." So, where does the Bible say to hate your enemy? No where!

Again, Jesus is contrasting what the Bible actually says with what the Jewish tradition was teaching at that time. A tradition had arisen based on some of the rules intended to keep the Jewish family pure that eliminated Gentiles from the definition of, neighbor. This is why the story of the Good Samaritan was so striking in its day and place. The neighbor was not Jewish.

Jesus then sets a new rule. True Godliness is not tested by how well you treat those who love you, but by how well you treat those who hate you. God himself is our ultimate example. While we hated him, while we were still sinners, while we were rebellious and fighting against him, Christ died for us, the ungodly. With God as our example of how to be gracious and yet full of truth and holy principal, we can treat others likewise. First, we can be people who are full of truth and purity. We can hold to principal and choose not to approve of evil. Second, we can be gracious to those who are evil toward us or pressure us to fall head-long into approving of their evil.