Loving Our EnemiesSample

For me, “loving my enemy” always begins by affirming that God is the personal Creator of every human being and that this person is an image bearer who is an object of His love. I ask God how I can reflect back to a person the dignity He has given her or him. Another help has been to realize that there are reasons why people are the way they are and to simply be curious about their story. They are fighting a fierce battle of which, most often, you and I are unaware. Loving our enemies begins with admitting we aren’t very good at this. Romans 8:26 says we do not even know how to pray well. But He promises to help us in our weaknesses. The same seems true for loving our enemies. However, to truly love people in a Christlike way cannot be equated or reduced to always pleasing them in the moment, or in the short-term. Authentic love often exposes and challenges what is harming a person, yet for their greater good.

“To love another person is to see the face of God.” – Victor Hugo (Les Miserables) 

Ask God to lead you to an “enemy” that He wants you to somehow express love to this week. If He does, write down how it happened and tell a friend or two about what happened.

We hope this Plan encouraged you. Read Renovated: God, Dallas Willard, and the Church That Transforms or explore other resources from Life Model Works.