Loving Your Enemies

The question “What is the gospel?” invites several correct responses. How could it not? The story of Christ’s infinite love cannot be conceptualized to one formula. In view of what Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, said this past Sunday at Charlie’s memorial, I want to focus on one non-negotiable element of Christianity: loving your enemies.

Towards the end of her speech, Erika pivoted to talking about Charlie’s hope for young men, and then spoke directly about the killer, Tyler Robinson. She tearfully said of him, “That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him, because it was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.” This moment of tremendous strength and courage from Erika puts us face-to-face with the message of Christianity.

You have people in your life that you may be tempted to hate. Maybe they’ve deeply wronged you. Potentially, you have every reason to curse them. How must you respond? Listen to the Lord Jesus Christ: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:44–45). We need more Charlies and Erikas in this world—people who extend the greatest love of all, the Lord Jesus Christ, to those who seem least deserving. For that is exactly what God has done for us. 

Pastor Chance Sumner