Love Your Enemies

Every year, my church has a special service where people pick Bible passages at random and contemplate their significance. Many in attendance share personal stories in an intimate and meaningful way, speaking from the heart with authenticity and vulnerability. Invariably, some bring tears to my eyes.    

While written for a general audience, our book Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times includes some scripture, too. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) is a key theme. 

In his book Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt, Arthur Brooks adds: “I want something more radical and subversive than civility and tolerance, something that speaks to the heart’s desire . . . And not just love for friends and those who agree with me, but rather, love for those who disagree with me as well.”  

I agree that civility and tolerance is a low a standard for how we treat others. But love is a pretty high bar for all but the best of us. Dignity and respect for others is the standard we talk most about in our book – it is not quite love but still a big reach. It starts with being more conscious of how we think and talk about others. That sounds simple, but it is not always easy. 

Principles like loving your enemies (or at least treating them with dignity and respect) seem so quaint the way our politics is working these days. Contempt for those who think differently has become mainstream and even acceptable (especially on social media). I worry that we are teaching our children that hate is perfectly OK. I wonder how this will filter down to the future generations who will lead our special country. We all need to do better.  

We each have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including our own. Don’t underestimate your impact!