"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..."
The New Testament, Matthew 5:44
This biblical quote leaves the majority perplexed and not only the materialists but also many believers. More than once, I have heard the explanation of this text by the difference between the perfection of Jesus Christ who knows how to love everyone and the imperfection of people who are incapable of it. People quote it with reverence, but if you dig deeper and reveal your actual attitude towards enemies, you can honestly admit that it is practically unachievable to love and bless them. However, the Teaching of Christ is integral, and one cannot leave any phrases ignored. They need to be understood and complied with. And this is impossible without understanding the essence of the Word.
Let us go searching for the meaning of this phrase.
The direct speech of Jesus Christ holds everything necessary for shaping the correct demeanor of people. To understand these instructions, it is not enough to merely read them. Suppose you graduated from college with a certain degree in some field but have not yet begun practicing. And when you start working in your specialty, you will quickly realize that you are only beginning to acquire true knowledge. Here, the same principle applies.
For starters, it is enough to believe first and begin taking steps on the road of experience. In the process, while overcoming laziness, you will gradually start to conquer your sins. Some time will pass, and if you really succeed in reducing them, you will suddenly discover the meaning of the phrase: “love your enemies ...”, as I once did.
For me, it was the deteriorating quality of life that forced me to explore my relationship with God. Despite all previous efforts, increasingly more problems emerged in my life. I understood that I needed to radically change my attitude toward life. I had to find a fulcrum.
By the age of 46, in addition to other problems, I had acquired several health ailments. On the outside, I seemed to be an average person in my daily interactions, but I was prompted that it was necessary to put things in order within my inner world, and I had better begin with my emotions.
The first emotion I managed to overcome was fear. After that, I dealt with resentment, which I found to be a critical step. At the same time, I searched for how to address other negative emotions.
About six months after conquering resentment, I noticed an improvement in my health (without doctors and medicine). And six months after that, my fate took a turn for the better. At that point, I felt satisfied; I relaxed and stopped scrutinizing myself. I thought I had already achieved the final results. But it was not so! The problems immediately began to return.
Thus:
1. What forced me to admit my sinfulness, repent, and start battling sins was numerous problems. Those problems were caused by certain people, such as rude folks, corrupt officials, unfair management, friends who betrayed me, etc. They played the role of "herders" in my life.
That is the #1 benefit from enemies.
2. In the process of atonement for sins, it is precisely awful people, i.e., enemies, who play a significant role. They create misfortunes for us, and we learn to accept them in humility, thereby redeeming past sins. There is simply no other way! (see the article "Resentment")
That is benefit #2.
3. As I wrote earlier, an attempt to stop working on myself and return to the unspiritual lifestyle immediately caused a flurry of troubles, and again, brought on by bad people. The Higher Forces did not allow me to stray off the right path via the hands of my enemies.
That is benefit #3.
4. After many-years-worth of spiritual work, an opinion occurred that particular spiritual accomplishments were achieved. And sure enough, periodically, there appeared jabs and troubles. If they managed to evoke some negative emotion in me, it indicated I still needed to work on that particular point. It also showed that I had premature self-confidence - the remnants of vanity. As you can see, enemies also objectively monitor our spiritual level.
That is benefit #4.
Well, then how can you not love them, ladies and gentlemen?!
Through experience came the realization of the meaning of the phrase by Jesus Christ, which is the title of this article. Enemies are beneficial; without them, we cannot overcome spiritual laziness. That is why the Holy Will does not yet crush the greater evil. It is needed up to a certain point, as it helps the lesser evil, that is, you and me, sinners, find the way to spiritual recovery. One must know that genuine goodness is a benefit to its highest degree. In this case, goodness directed at us manifests in this way.
Only through personal experience do you begin to understand how simple and obvious this concept is!
As you can see, God also assigned demons to do valuable work. That is how wise support from the Holy Will is executed! Such is inconceivable Love of the Lord for us! Every Word of Christ addressed to people has a deep meaning. The Word is the living and all-powerful breath of Truth!
March 2023
Yuri Lutsenko
