Love Even Your Enemy

In demanding that I respect the rights of another, God is not merely asking me to conform to some abstract, arbitrary law. He is enabling me to share, as His son/daughter, in His own care for my brothers. (Thomas Merton)

The King will answer them, “I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did for Me.” (Matthew 25:40).

All that is physical is passing away. As long as I keep holding onto a ‘thing’, I continually set myself up for disappointment. If all I see is how you look and what you have, I’ll miss the point that you – like me – are a hurting spirit just looking for home. (Fr. Everding)

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this sums up the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12).

“He who showed mercy”… Jesus answered, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, you are doing right (James 2:8).

So then my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slower[er] to wrath (James 1:19).

Let go of anger, and leave rage behind. Do not be preoccupied. It only leads to evil (Psalm 37:8).

Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink. In this way you will make him feel guilty and ashamed, and the Lord will reward you (Proverbs 25:21-22).

Do not be happy when your enemy falls, and do not feel glad when he stumbles. The Lord will see it, He won’t like it, and He will turn His anger away from that person (Proverbs 24:17-18).

Forgiving one’s enemies does not mean to be faint hearted but to have a strong soul.

Let all things be done for edification (1 Corinthians 14:26).

It is better to be alone than in bad company. (George Washington)

Don’t let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people (1 Corinthians 15:33).

[Yet] A man who isolates himself seeks his own desires; he quarrels against all sound wisdom (Proverbs 18:1).

So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God’s approval as your breastplate. Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Also take salvation as your helmet and the Word of God as the sword that the Spirit supplies. Pray in the Spirit in every situation; use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert; use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God’s people. (Ephesians 6:14-18).

Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21).

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols! (1 John 5:21).