The world says, “Hate those who hate you. Fight back. Do not let anyone walk over you.” But Jesus says the opposite, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20–21).
It is natural to retaliate. Why should I suffer alone? If you hit me hard, I will hit you harder. If you hit me twice, I will hit you three times. Yet, Jesus calls us to love, not just those who love us but also those who do not. This is not a weak love that avoids conflict. It is a fierce (but not reckless) love that absorbs hate with without giving it back.
The world say, cut loss. The Bible says, love your enemy.
This is the love that Jesus showed on the cross. When the Roman soldiers mocked him, he prayed for them. When nails pierced his hands, he offered forgiveness. When the world gave him its worst, he gave the world his best.
That is our Lord. As his followers, we are called to do the same. To feed the hungry enemy. To bless the one who curses. To forgive the one who wounds. To serve the one who opposes. We are not surrendering to evil. We are overcoming evil. This is the way hatred is silenced, and hearts are softened.
Love will cost you. People do not like to see the difference in you. You will be taken advantage of. And you may not see change right away. But love never fails. Love never lets go. The cross is not a defeat but a triumph. The same love will have the last word in your life too.
When hatred rises against you, answer it with love. When rejection stings, meet it with forgiveness. When opposition grows, let your response be stronger – the unshakable love of Christ in you.
I invite you to say this prayer.
Father, when hatred rises against me, root me deeper in your love. Teach me to bless those who curse me, to forgive those who wound me, and to serve those who oppose me. May your love through me overcome evil with good. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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