|
|
Love your Enemies During the month of February, we celebrate Valentine's Day. It's a day when we usually focus on the love shared between a man and a women, especially spouses. That's well and good, but let's bring the focus to a different direction. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." OK, so we are supposed to love our enemies. Sounds nice, but it is so easy and so preferable for us to love those who are kind to us, like friends and family. Besides, just how do you show love to a terrorist? Shoot him with a pink bullet and a smile? Ah, it's too easy to think about enemies far away. You and I may have the luxury of avoiding most terrorists, but our soldiers are on the front lines for us. Say an extra prayer for them right now. For you and I to apply this command from Jesus to our lives, we must think about our local enemies. If you can't think of someone who really dislikes you, "how blessed art thou." I hope all your life will be that way. Many of us have somebody that shows dislike for us or whom we have a distaste. This command from Jesus addresses how we treat those people who are definitely not friendly toward us. How do we begin to take a Christ-like attitude toward those who mistreat or dislike us or even hate us? We can begin with prayer, since Jesus specifically told us, pray for those who persecute you. What do we pray about such people? Pray for their ongoing connection with Jesus by faith. The best way for an enemy to quit being your enemy is for that person to share the faith with you. If you have such a person who is your enemy, pray for their day to be a good one. Even if we don't see any difference in the enemy we pray for, praying for them will make a difference in our attitude. It's more difficult to dislike someone that we pray for. Jesus showed us how to pray for our enemies when He prayed from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." We could limit His prayer to the soldiers and Jewish authorities who wanted Him dead, but we would miss out on the personal aspect of this prayer. Jesus was praying for all who are born His enemies. Guess who that includes? All of us! Here is the reality: But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life. (Romans 5:8,10) Jesus died for all and for anyone who was His enemy. In His death, you and I have forgiveness for all the occasions we have acted like enemies of other people and especially of Jesus. Now Jesus calls us to live like His friends and treat our enemies as we wish them to treat us. This includes doing kindness for our enemies, even when we don't feel like it. Go ahead, try it, do something out of the way in being kind to that particular individual who doesn't show you any kindness. Even if that person refuses to notice it, you will feel better and be a better person for doing it. Most of all, you will be doing exactly what Jesus wants you to do. That is the best reason of all.
In
Christ, |
Home
| Pastor's Message | About
Us | Schedule | Organizations
| Youth Activities
Education
| Missions | Location
| Contact Us | Links|
Cong. News
