LoveYourEnemy

Love Your Enemy

There are so many issues that we face in the world today that I know have the heart of God just breaking to have to see what we have become. As Christians, our hearts should also weep knowing the suffering that is in this world, and we should be even more saddened to look around and see so many that don’t know the love of Jesus Christ; so many that may spend eternity separated from their Father in Heaven.

I have come to realize that I differ from so many Christians on how these issues should be, and need to be addressed. Abortions, the homosexual movement, atheist and agnostics, social issues; these and so many others are issues that Christians are faced with every day. These are all issues that so many are ready to stand against, to fight against. But what is our role?

Christians should want to ban together, to increase numbers and be ready to combat all that interfere with the expansion of the Kingdom of Heaven. However; all these issues are no more than symptoms of simpler, yet overwhelming problem. All these issues that face society and Christians today are all issues of the heart; and because they are issues of the heart, they cannot be changed without changing the heart. An alcoholic will not change until he acknowledges there is a problem; an abuser will not change until he sees what he is doing to be wrong. All who stand in opposition to God’s laws, also stand in opposition to God’s love.

Think about it; do you really think that anyone who would kill their baby, does it not thinking it is the right thing to do? Do you really believe that someone would live their life as a homosexual if they didn’t believe in their heart what they were doing was ok? Do you really think that those who want to remove God from government, from society and from our schools don’t believe in their heart of hearts that they are doing the right thing? All these people believe firmly in their hearts that they are right. Do you think that simply telling all these people that they are wrong is going to change their minds or change their hearts?

So what are we to do? It really is not all that complicated. The bible lays out clearly how we are to combat the forces of evil, to fight all those that stand in opposition to God. We love them. (SAY WHAT!) We love them, and in doing so, show them the love of God and all that He has done through His son, Jesus Christ. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, you should love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) Paul writes; “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head [spiritually speaking]. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20-21)
Let me put it another way; you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.

Please don’t misunderstand; I am not saying to just lie down and let them have their way. Be strong and be firm. Be a wall; a brick wall never struck or hurt anyone, it just stands. If there are political issues, get out and vote on them. If you come across someone who is in opposition to God’s love, love them; and through that love becomes relationships; and through relationships you can show God’s love; and in God’s love and through the awesome power of the Holy Spirit, the heart can be changed.

No one can be bullied, intimidated, threatened, coerced, scared, beaten, dragged, forced or even brainwashed into accepting the love of Christ. And if that is what it takes, quite frankly, he doesn’t want it. Love your enemy, pray for them. There is enough condemnation in the world; conviction is the job of the Holy Spirit; we are called to love. Leave the judgment and condemnation to the world; we are called to accept, to support, to guide and above all….to love! “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone” (John 8:7).