I have studied that God hates evil and loves good. Isn’t this contrary to the words of Jesus in Matthew to love your enemies? Follow along as I am working through this understanding.
“43You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” – Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV)
Now contrast that with Amos:
“15Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of host, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” – Amos 5:15 (ESV)
I admit that I am confused. Until, I read the commentary of my ESV Bible for the passage in Matthew; “God hates evil, but he still brings many blessings in this life even to his enemies”. God hates evil actions, not the evil people. Wow, was that an eye opener, and I see how we could believe the quote below being from God:
“Hate the sin, love the sinner” – Mahatma Gandhi
In my study, I find it hard to make this work. We have evil all around us and we are to love those who persecute us. We are to love the people that want to destroy us.
“45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” – Matthew 5:45-47 (ESV)
Even the worst of us are good to those who are good to us. I think of the movies where even the worst of criminals are loyal to those that treat them as they “feel they should be treated”. The key word there to me is “feel”. See the commentary from my NIV Bible: “We must trust the holy Spirit to help us show love to those for whom we may not feel love.”
So here is my amended phrase to help me understand: “Show Love for Your Enemies” as opposed to just “Love Your Enemies”.
Are we allowing our misunderstanding to get in the way of showing our love? We may not feel love, but shouldn’t we be showing God’s love to our persecutors? What actions can you take to better show God’s love?
Trevor's Thoughts 