Article September 11, 1965 ISSUE

Loving One's Enemies

MARK NATHANS

From a human standpoint it seems only natural that one should hate his enemies and love his friends. This attitude was strongly rebuked by our Master, Christ Jesus. In his Sermon on the Mount he told his followers (Matt. 5:43, 44): "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 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."

How wise this counsel is! Vindictiveness not only involves a lowering of one's own standards, but does nothing to heal the situation; whereas love has the power to transform one's enemy into a friend. Is not this the only true way of overcoming one's enemy?

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