How to Love your Enemies Matthew 5:43-44

Who is my Enemy? He is the one who has mistreated me (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:19-20) He is the very one I must love, bless, do good to, and pray for! (Matthew 5:44) He is the one who needs my forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35)

Enemies: Jesus & Me Jesus loved His enemies (Luke 23:34; Colossians 1:21-22; Rom. 5:8; 1 Peter 2:23-24) Jesus anticipated a happy eternity with one who had been His enemy (Luke 23:41-43; Hebrews 12:2; Rev. 3:21)

Enemies: Stephen & Saul In his early days, Saul of Tarsus was an enemy of every Christian (Acts 22:19-20; 1 Timothy 1:13; Acts 26:9-11; 8:3; 9:1-2) When Stephen was stoned, Saul was as responsible as anyone… yet Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin” (Acts 7:54-60).

Enemies: Stephen & Saul The love of Christ changed Saul from a hater of enemies to a lover of enemies. 1 Timothy 14-15 2 Cor. 11:24 Romans 9:3; 10:1 Enemies: Stephen & Saul

Nelson Mandela Monument Located at the site of his arrest in 1962. Mandella spent 27 years in prison. He later said, “When a deep injury is done to us, we never heal until we forgive.”