Love Your Enemies

Acts 9:17-19 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
 
ANANIAS had been very afraid of Saul. But notice he calls him, “Brother.” Just hours before  this, Ananias had called Saul, “Enemy.”
   Obeying Jesus does remarkable things for us, doesn’t it? Ananias could have remained suspicious and even hateful of Saul. He might have known people Saul dragged off to put in prison. Would Ananias have been justified to tell Jesus, “No. I won’t help Saul. Saul is my enemy.”
   But Jesus was commanding Ananias to live into Jesus’ teachings: Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
   “A Christin is to love all kinds of people – no matter what faith, nationality, or personality, enemies included. If you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, you truly show that Jesus is Lord of your life.” (Life Application Bible Commentary)
   Ananias had to decide what we all must decide: Do we follow Jesus, or do we follow the old ways of our sin nature? With great uncertainty and fear, Ananias would have wanted to stay home and tend to his own business that day. Who would blame him?
   But he realized the Lord would rightfully blame him for his disobedience. Ananias’ response is our example. Put aside your fears, so you can live in Jesus’ way. Saul was no longer an enemy, he had become a brother to all belonging to the Way.
   When you wonder, “How do I respond to my enemies?” remember Jesus and Ananias. Jesus instructed. Ananias obeyed. As Saul regained his vision, do you think Ananias also gained new vision to see the world through God’s eyes?
 
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.