Give Them Enemies Some Love Today

Who are your enemies? What makes them your enemies? Why do you hate them? Can you love them? What is stopping you? Do you regularly think about these questions?
 
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr and his legacy, we often share one of his great quotes. That’s a great habit, because he had a lot of wise things to say. Today I’d like to share an excerpt from one of his sermons. Please read it with me:
 
“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. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. 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. (from "Loving Your Enemies")”
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
It seems like Jesus and MLK Jr may have been on to something…