Kingdom Values in a Hostile World

A Different Kind of Kingdom

One of the most remarkable moments in modern history occurred on April 18, 1946, during the Nuremberg Trials. Twenty-one Nazi leaders stood convicted for crimes that shocked the world. Justice demanded accountability, and rightly so. Yet among those imprisoned was an American Army chaplain named Henry Gerecke. Rather than spending his days condemning these men, he spent them sharing the gospel with them. He prayed with them. Read Scripture to them. Pointed them to Christ. Several professed faith before their executions. Gerecke never confused mercy with justice. Justice still took its course. But while the government carried out justice, a Christian minister demonstrated mercy. He understood something our world often forgets: justice and revenge are not the same thing. Justice belongs to God-ordained authority. Revenge belongs to the sinful heart.

That is precisely where Jesus takes us in Luke 6.

The values of Christ’s kingdom have never fit comfortably within the kingdoms of this world. Last week Jesus overturned our understanding of blessing by declaring that the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the persecuted are blessed while pronouncing woes upon those who find their satisfaction in this present age. Now He goes even further.

If the Beatitudes challenged what we value, these verses challenge how we respond to those who oppose us. Jesus speaks into one of the deepest instincts of fallen humanity—the desire to retaliate. Every culture has celebrated revenge. Every generation has admired the hero who settles the score. Every political movement promises to defeat its enemies. Every social media platform rewards outrage.

Yet Jesus stands before His disciples and says something that no philosopher, king, or military commander would ever say: “Love your enemies.” These are among the most impossible words ever spoken because they strike directly at the pride of the human heart. The natural man can love those who love him. He can be kind to those who are kind to him. He can forgive when it benefits him. But to love those who hate him, bless those who curse him, pray for those who abuse him, and actively seek their good is something altogether supernatural.

This is the ethic of a kingdom that has invaded this world through Jesus Christ. It is the family resemblance of those who belong to their heavenly Father. It is not merely how Christians should behave—it is who Christians are becoming.

I. A Love That Defies Human Nature

Luke 6:27–28 ESV

27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

I. A Love That Defies Human Nature

Jesus begins with an important statement that often escapes our attention: “But I say unto you which hear…” (Luke 6:27). He is not merely addressing everyone within the sound of His voice. Scripture frequently uses hearing to describe a heart that receives God’s truth. Jesus often declared, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). Many hear the words of Christ, but only those whose hearts are surrendered truly receive them. In effect Jesus is saying, “If you are truly My disciple, if you are willing to listen to Me above your own instincts and above the wisdom of the world, then hear what I am about to say.”

Then comes the command that changes everything: “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Notice that Jesus does not begin with emotions. Biblical love is never reduced to feelings.

The Greek word agapaō describes a deliberate choice to seek another person’s highest good regardless of personal cost. It is covenant love. It is sacrificial love. It is love governed by principle rather than emotion. This is why Scripture tells husbands to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25), commands believers to love one another (John 13:34), and even commands us to love our enemies. Feelings cannot be commanded, but obedience can.

Observe the progression of Christ’s commands. Love begins in the heart. Doing good becomes visible action. Blessing transforms our speech. Prayer carries our enemies before the throne of God. Every command moves us further away from revenge and closer to the heart of God. It is difficult to hate someone for whom you consistently pray. It is difficult to nourish bitterness while sincerely asking God to bless another person. Jesus is dismantling resentment one step at a time.

The Old Testament had already prohibited personal vengeance. Proverbs 25:21 “21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,” teaches, Paul later quotes this very passage in Romans 12:20. Yet Jesus deepens the principle by making enemy-love not merely an occasional act but the settled disposition of His followers.

This is exactly how God loved us. Romans 5:8 reminds us,

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Before we ever loved God, He loved us. Before we ever sought Him, He pursued us. Before we ever obeyed Him, He demonstrated His grace toward us. Jesus is commanding us to extend to others the very love that first transformed us.

II. A Love That Refuses Personal Revenge

Luke 6:29–31 ESV

29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

II. A Love That Refuses Personal Revenge

Jesus continues with practical illustrations that have often been misunderstood. “ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also,… him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also… Give to every man that asketh of thee… And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”

Many have wrongly concluded that Jesus is teaching absolute pacifism, forbidding self-defense, abolishing civil government, or requiring Christians to surrender themselves to every form of abuse without discernment. Yet Scripture cannot contradict itself. Romans 13 teaches that God established civil government to punish evil. Jesus Himself challenged the officer who struck Him during His trial, saying (John 18:23 ) “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”” . Paul repeatedly appealed to his legal rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25; Acts 25:11). Nehemiah armed the builders of Jerusalem because enemies threatened violence (Nehemiah 4:17-18). None of these actions violated God’s will.

So what is Jesus condemning? He is addressing the sinful desire for personal retaliation. He is exposing the heart that says, “You hurt me, therefore I will hurt you.” The kingdom citizen willingly surrenders his right to personal vengeance because vengeance belongs to God alone. Paul explains this beautifully in Romans 12:17-19:

Romans 12:17–19 ESV

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

II. A Love That Refuses Personal Revenge

There is an important distinction between justice and revenge. Justice belongs to God and to the authorities He has established. Revenge belongs to the sinful human heart. Christians may pursue justice through lawful means, but they are forbidden from cultivating bitterness, hatred, or a spirit of retaliation. This is precisely why Peter writes concerning Christ… Jesus entrusted ultimate justice to His Father. So must we.

1 Peter 2:23 ESV

23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. The Golden Rule in verse 31 summarizes this entire section. We naturally ask, “How should others treat me?” Jesus reverses the question: “How should I treat them?” Kingdom love is proactive rather than reactive. It does not wait for kindness before showing kindness. It initiates mercy because mercy has first been received from God.

III. A Love That Reveals Our Heavenly Father

Luke 6:32–35 ESV

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

III. A Love That Reveals Our Heavenly Father

Jesus now exposes how ordinary human love really is. Luke 6:32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” Three times He asks essentially the same question. If you only love those who love you… if you only help those who help you… if you only lend expecting repayment… what is extraordinary about that? Even unbelievers do the same.

The world practices reciprocal love. It is a love based upon performance, mutual benefit, and shared interests. It asks, “What have you done for me?” The kingdom of God operates differently. It loves because that is the nature of God Himself.

Notice that Jesus is not minimizing natural affection. It is good for parents to love children and friends to care for one another. Rather, He is showing that such love alone cannot explain the transforming power of the gospel. There is nothing uniquely Christian about loving those who are lovable. The evidence of God’s grace appears when believers extend kindness toward those who have offered them nothing but hostility.

Jesus then returns to the command: “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again.” Such love runs completely contrary to our flesh. It cannot be manufactured through willpower. It is produced by the Holy Spirit as believers increasingly resemble Christ. Paul writes that “the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22). This is not merely improved behavior; it is transformed character.

The greatest demonstration of this truth is found at Calvary. As nails pierced His hands and insults filled the air, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Stephen echoed the same spirit while being stoned, crying, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). This kind of love cannot be explained by human nature. It is supernatural.

IV. The Family Resemblance of God’s Children

Luke 6:35–36 ESV

35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

IV. The Family Resemblance of God’s Children

Jesus concludes with the reason behind these impossible commands: “And ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

Jesus is not teaching that loving our enemies earns our salvation. Throughout Scripture salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Rather, He is describing what God’s children look like. They bear the family resemblance. Just as children often resemble their earthly parents, believers increasingly resemble their heavenly Father.

Consider the astonishing statement that God “is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Every sunrise is an act of mercy. Every rainfall upon an unbeliever’s field is an expression of God’s goodness. Jesus taught the same truth in Matthew 5:45

Every breath an unbeliever takes is borrowed from the God he rejects. Every meal enjoyed by those who deny His existence is sustained by His providential care. This is what theologians call God’s common grace—the kindness He extends to all humanity despite their rebellion. The greatest expression of His mercy, however, is the cross. God did not merely provide sunshine and rain for His enemies. He gave His Son for them. Titus 3:3-5

Titus 3:3–5 ESV

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Luke records Jesus saying, (Matthew 5:48 ) You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” ). Together these statements reveal the mature completeness God desires in His children. Spiritual maturity is measured not merely by theological knowledge or ministry activity but by hearts increasingly shaped by the mercy of God.

Conclusion: The Cross Makes This Possible

If we leave this passage thinking merely, “I need to try harder to love difficult people,” we have missed the point entirely. The commands of Jesus are impossible apart from the transforming work of the gospel. No fallen human being naturally loves his enemies. The flesh demands revenge. Pride demands vindication. Fear demands self-protection. Only grace produces enemy-love.

That is why our eyes must end where they began—at the cross of Jesus Christ. Every command Jesus gave in this passage He fulfilled perfectly Himself. He loved those who hated Him. He blessed those who mocked Him. He prayed for those who crucified Him. He refused retaliation though twelve legions of angels stood ready at His command (Matthew 26:53). Instead, He entrusted Himself to the Father’s righteous judgment and willingly laid down His life for those who were His enemies.

The remarkable truth is that every believer once stood among those enemies. We were not neutral toward God. Scripture says instead of giving us the justice we deserved, God extended the mercy we never could have earned. The love Jesus commands is simply the love He first displayed.

Colossians 1:21 ESV

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

Conclusion: The Cross Makes This Possible

After surviving Ravensbrück concentration camp, where her sister Betsie died, Corrie spent years traveling throughout Europe preaching about the forgiveness of Christ. One evening in Munich, after she had finished speaking, a man walked toward her. As he approached, she recognized him immediately. He had been one of the guards at Ravensbrück.

He smiled and said, “Fraulein, how good it is to know that, as you say, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea.”

Then he extended his hand. Corrie froze.

She later wrote that memories flooded back—the barracks, the humiliation, the suffering, the death of her beloved sister. She knew exactly what Jesus commanded, but in that moment she could not make herself obey. Silently she prayed, “Jesus, I cannot forgive him. You will have to give me Your forgiveness.” Then she reached out and took his hand.

She later wrote: “The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. Then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. ‘I forgive you, brother!’ I cried. ‘With all my heart!’”

Corrie concluded with these words: “I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on His.”

Our world grows increasingly hostile to biblical truth. Faithfulness to Christ will invite misunderstanding, ridicule, slander, and at times outright persecution. Jesus never promised otherwise. But He also never called His people to mirror the spirit of the age. The world retaliates. The world cancels. The world curses. The world divides. The Church is called to stand firmly for truth without surrendering the character of Christ. We must never compromise conviction, but neither may we abandon compassion. We are to speak truth without hatred, defend righteousness without bitterness, oppose evil without becoming consumed by it, and confront sin while remembering the mercy that rescued us from our own.

When the watching world sees believers responding to hostility with unwavering conviction and unmistakable grace, it catches a glimpse of the Father’s heart. That is kingdom love in a hostile world. It is not weakness. It is not compromise. It is the supernatural evidence that the King is already transforming His people into His own likeness until the day He returns to establish His kingdom in all its fullness.