How Do We Love Our Enemies?

Loving the Lowly

Romans 12:14–16 NIV

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Loving Our Enemies

And that is the wonder of all wonders, that God loves the lowly.… God is not ashamed of the lowliness of human beings. God marches right in.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Meekness is love at school, at the school of Christ. It is the disciple learning to know, and fear, and distrust himself, and learning of him who is meek and lowly of heart, and so finding rest to his soul.

James Hamilton

Those who love the Lord will love the company of those who also love him.

James Montgomery Boice

No law has ever been passed that can compel one moral being to love another, for by the very nature of it love must be voluntary. No one can be coerced or frightened into loving anyone.4

A. W. Tozer

It becomes those who are holy towards God to be lowly and loving towards all men.

Matthew Henry

Perhaps some of you do not feel that there is anything very remarkable in this love of the Lord to the loveless. I should like you to try if you could love somebody who has nothing about him that is at all lovable. Love’s Climax, Volume 41, Sermon #2394, 1 John 4:10

Charles Spurgeon

For to love is to serve. Love is not a feeling or an emotion. It is an action, an offering of lowly service, even as Christ girded Himself to wash His disciples’ feet (John 13:5).

Lawrence R. Farley

Romans 12:17 (NIV)  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.