Love Your Enemies

Good Morning!

I can hear Mother saying it even today: “two wrongs don’t make a right”. I am sure that saying will stay with me until the Lord calls me home to glory. And the precept is so true. You don’t make right a wrong by doing another wrong. An eye for an eye just leaves two people half blind and incapable of depth perception.

As I was reading the comments surrounding the proposed burning of the Koran by the church in Gainesville Florida, I was struck by the number of people who justified that childish action by saying that Muslims burn Bibles and harm Christians and the like. Well, yes, they do. We were told to expect that – why is it such a surprise? Is that all they can do to us? Bibles can burn – the Word of God still stands. Christians can be tortured and murdered – and the claims of Christ still remain. Don’t we realize that God’s in control. He protects us even at the time we leave this earth. For us to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord Jesus.

The answer to the action of the heathen is not to burn his books or harm him in any way. No – here’s what Jesus says about dealing with those who use you:

Matthew 5:38-48 (English Standard Version)
Retaliation
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Love Your Enemies
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

“Love your enemies…?” “…Pray for those who persecute you…?” What!!??? Jesus is leading us to understand that hatred is like a poison to your soul. Your mind becomes fixated on the object of your hate – and soon all you can think about is how to get even. 9/11/2001 remains a very painful memory for all of us – but will hating Muslims change one thing about that day? Will burning the Koran make the memory disappear? The answer is “no” – all this hatred will lead to is even more hatred – more anger.

Where is justice for those who murder our friends and loved ones? Where is justice for those who burn God’s Word? Justice remains in the hands of our mighty, one true God. I believe those radical Islamic jihadist will face God and His wrath. He will take care of them – and He will take care of their victims.

Jesus told us to love our enemies – a hard swallow for many of us. But that is what we should do because He told us to do so. And in doing so, He will provide us comfort for the hurt that lingers – because He loves us and wants us to love as He does.

Agape’



Mr. Jim