Loving Your Enemies

Every year there is a day on the calendar comemorating the influence that Martin Luther King, Jr. had upon our country. But with each passing year, we remember less and less about this man. Our national ignorance about this great figure in our nations history is growing. We know him positively or negatively based largely upon the caricatures of him that others have painted for us.

His influence and legacy is worth our attention and admiration and a bit of study. So may I suggest that you read one of his sermons, pick up a biography or listen to a speech. Today I read his sermon "Loving your Enemies" delivered on November 17, 1957 at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, made available by Stanford University's Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute.

I leave you with a section of that sermon...

Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. That’s why Jesus says, "Love your enemies." Because if you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption. You just keep loving people and keep loving them, even though they’re mistreating you. Here’s the person who is a neighbor, and this person is doing something wrong to you and all of that. Just keep being friendly to that person. Keep loving them. Don’t do anything to embarrass them. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with bitterness because they’re mad because you love them like that. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.