"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies..."

-Luke 6:27

After ministering in Siberia over a period of several years, I was invited as a guest to a home where several who had come to Christ were gathering. During the course of the conversation, one of them said to me, “When you first came, we could not figure out why. We did not know why an American would come to Russia, but now we know. At the well, the Samaritan woman did not know why Jesus spoke to her, but after she was saved, then she knew why. I am sure there were many Gentiles who did not understand why Paul, a Jew, was coming to them, but all who believed soon did. Jesus came to this world to seek and save the lost even though the Bible would describe all who are lost as the enemies of God. Why would you go to your enemies? Do you realize that everyone around you - family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances - who are not saved are the enemies of God? Do you think sharing the gospel with them could actually make matters worse? When you share the gospel, and someone responds in faith and believes upon Christ, then they know why you shared with them, and you have won a friend. More importantly, Jesus, the friend of sinners, will be their friend for all eternity. Be encouraged!

References: Luke 6:27