Enemy-Love

Church Family:
Loving our enemies is not optional for disciples of Jesus. It is one of the clearest ways we show we belong to our Father and not to the spirit of the world. Jesus teaches in Matthew 5 that true righteousness transforms the heart, not just the actions. He reveals the deep roots of sin: anger that fuels murder, lust that gives birth to adultery, deceit that twists promises, retaliation that ignores God's justice, and then it peaks with Jesus’ call for us to love our enemies, not to hate them (5:43-48).

Israel's law commanded them to love their neighbors, but many twisted it to justify hating their enemies, even making hostility a sign of holiness. Jesus rebukes this law-twisting: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Jesus roots this in God's work of common grace, in which He makes the sun and rain fall on the just and the unjust alike, showing kindness to all, including His enemies. When we love our friends, that is just ordinary. Even the world does that. When we love our enemies and our haters, that makes us like our Heavenly Father.

How do you apply enemy-love this week? Jesus gives practical, cross-shaped steps:

Pray for your enemies:
Name your enemies honestly. Critic. Betrayer. Hater. Opposer. Daily ask God to bless them with mercy, healing, salvation. Prayer reshapes your own heart as God works on your enemy’s heart.

Bless your enemy with words:
Speak kindly to them; refuse gossip. When tempted to curse, say something true and good instead. Peter commands: bless, don't curse (1 Peter 3:9).

Do good deeds for your enemy:
Serve practically: help without expectation, give extra, defend their dignity. Like God reconciling us while we were His enemies, seek their good amongst harm.

Endure despite resistance of your enemy-love effort:
Reactions and feelings usually take a while; obey anyway. Jesus prayed forgiveness while His enemies were hammering nails into His body. Your perseverance broadcasts God's kingdom mercy.

This supernatural enemy-love, that chooses prayer over payback and kindness over hatred, shines Christ's beautiful love. Depend daily on the Spirit to do His work as you do deeds and prayers for your enemies today. Your enemy-love obedience displays how the family of God loves and reacts in this world of hate and vengeance, and that draws others to Him.

See you Sunday, loving enemies: Steve

Prayer needs:
Elliott Roberts transplant
Phan Marrow recovery from thyroid surgery
Necey Highet shoulder/arm healing
Betty Jo Marshall progression of Parkinsons
Shiloh Luke multiple surgeries for Spina bifida (parents Max and Melissa)
Evan, Greyson, Joey, Jacob, John (USMC work)
Dave Thomas
Sherrie Pruitt’s mother (Judy – end of life)
Jill Torbert’s father (James – end of life)
Marie Brame’s sister (Halina – cancer)

*let me know if you have a prayer need

Sandra Taylor’s Funeral:
The Celebration of Life will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Hampstead Baptist Church. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.
The burial and family graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Burgaw Cemetery.