Who Do You Love?

Mike Jones, the former male prostitute involved with former National Association of Evangelicals leader Ted Haggard, recently visited Haggard's former church in Colorado Springs and apparently received a welcoming response.  Christianity Today 's weblog reports that

Associate pastor Rob Brendle was apparently one of those who thanked him. "I told Mike, 'I don't want to impose my religious beliefs on you, but I believe God used you to correct us, and I appreciate that,'" he said. "The church's response to him was overwhelmingly warm. One of the wonderful and enduring truths of Christianity is to love people the world sets up to be your enemies."

He didn't say "love your enemies," which was a nice touch.

Well, it's good in this case that the church members didn't look on him as an enemy.  But isn't "love the people the world sets up to be your enemies" somewhat less radical -- and therefore less "wonderful" -- than what Jesus actually said in the Gospels?

Tom