Love Your Enemies

Our posts are completely free to read. If you enjoy our work and wish to support our book, there’s an option to upgrade to paid, but only if you want to. We are grateful to all subscribers! We encourage readers to share about our book Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times on social media and, if you can write a review on Amazon or elsewhere, that could help give the book a boost!

-----

It is good to talk about scripture, but far deeper to explore how it applies to our everyday life journey. Every year after Christmas, my church has a special Watchword 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. Later, some people put their Watchword reflections in writing, and these are compiled and shared during the advent season.

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 central idea. Arthur Brooks expands on this in his book Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt: “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 are too low a standard. But love is pretty high, a big reach for all but the very best of us. Instead, I settle for dignity and respect. Dignity and respect for others is not quite love but is still certainly a big reach!

But what does dignity and respect look like in a practical way? It starts with being more conscious of how we think and talk about others, including people with different political opinions. That sounds simple, but I know 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). This is especially true for those on the extremes who are driving the political agenda.

Sadly, I worry that we are teaching our children that hate is perfectly OK and wonder how this will filter down to the future generations who will lead our special country.

At last year’s Watchword service, I happened to pick a passage from Psalm 85 that reads in part: “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” Another quaint but important idea. I love the hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin with Me.” We sometimes think of peace in the abstract, but those lyrics bring it close to home, putting the obligation on me.

And yes, righteousness is key, too. There can’t be peace in this world if I am not righteous.

But righteous is more than what we think about politics. We need to reflect on our values and apply humility in how we see and treat others. What a burden, but so important. For sure, I need to work at doing better. What about you?

Our book offers a hopeful roadmap to better our lives, our relationships, and our country. We seek to increase goodwill among Americans and build a culture of kindness, dignity, and respect. We each have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including our own. Don’t underestimate your impact!

We will be doing a hybrid event (in-person and virtual) on March 31st at 6:30 pm ET in Hanover NH (Howe Library) and you can register to get the Zoom link HERE. We will also be on Living Room Conversations on Monday April 6 at 3 pm ET and you can register to get the Zoom link HERE.