How do I love people who do evil things?

How do I show love for people who do evil things? I don’t know.

How do I show love for evil people? Likewise, I don’t know.

Those are two different questions, even though they sound the same. They are difficult questions too. Should someone who is evil be shown love? How about people who do evil things?

And let me be clear, I’m asking the question of what I should do, not governments, communities, churches, or any grouping of people. I’m not even asking what other individuals should do — you have to figure that out for yourself. I’m struggling with the question of what I should do.

Maybe we should start with some definitions.

What is evil? I guess it depends on how you define it. I think evil goes beyond just being morally bankrupt or doing something bad. I think it goes much deeper to a level in which someone is purposefully causing pain and suffering to another or a group of people with the intent of causing harm. Evil and cruelty would be related in that sense.

What is love? Love is more than just a feeling, or attraction to someone. Love isn’t just some sappy thing. Love moves a person to take action risking their own safety. Love moves a person beyond just doing something morally good to a deeper level in which someone purposefully relieves pain and suffering, is empathetic, moves towards healing and wholeness.