Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Romans 12:17-19 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

For years I used Romans 12:18 as an excuse not to love my enemies. It isn’t possible, I’d tell myself, they won’t let me. The truth being that I didn’t even try. The harder truth being I didn’t know how to love the unloveable.

God knows how.

My biggest problem wasn’t that I couldn’t but when confronted I reverted back into the old man’s defensive position. I had not learned how to stay in the spirit under pressure.

Being a man with trust issues, I wasn’t trusting God to complete His good work in me. These things we cannot do in our own human failings. They can only be accomplished by God in us. That takes two things, cooperation and trust. When Paul said “as much as is possible” he meant to cooperate as much as possible and then let God do the rest. Verse 19 says give place unto wrath which means, give it over to God.

That isn’t easy to see when you are a new Christian. That takes some maturing. Let me put it another way. The sweetest fruit matures on the vine.

John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

I cannot love my enemies without Him.

John 21:15-17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

How much clearer does Jesus need to make it? Do this because you love me. Our motivation in all things should be love. In Matthew 25 Jesus says this.

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Whether you do or do not, let it be because of love.

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

As I edit this post a thought occurred to me. Do I have to think about it? I love my wife but I don’t have to think about it. I just do. When it comes to others, I have to think about it. It isn’t natural to love your enemies. You go about showing love to an enemy differently than you do a family member.