Friday, March 22 - Luke 6

Love Your Enemies

   When Jesus says, "love your enemies -- bless those who curse you -- turn the other cheek," His words strike a blow.  It's hard enough to always be kind to the people who love us.  It's even harder to show love to those who seem indifferent or somewhat disinterested in us.  But our ENEMIES!?  Wow.  These are the people who seem intent on hurting us -- determined to undermine us -- who are hostile, negative, and spiteful to us.

   You've probably heard me tell the story of the family that moved in next to my house when I was a boy.   These were folks, it seemed, who had some kind of ax to grind against us and, for reasons unknown to my family, were angry and unkind to us.  Sometimes they would just stand on their adjacent land and mock us.  Other times they might purposely play loud music or bang on our adjoining wall just to annoy us.   If a ball went over the fence into their yard, it was gone.  Our parked car might get scratched.

   The thing a person most wants to do in this situation is to get revenge -- to pay them back with an unkindness that corresponds to what we've experienced and hope that they suffer.

  Imagine, however, if Jesus had followed this philosophy.  Where would we be?  The lightning bolts of God's wrath would have consumed us long, long ago.

  Thanks be to God that His mercy extends even to those who continually fail Him, ignore Him, betray Him.  Thanks be to God that He does not treat us as our sins deserve.  Instead, Jesus took our place and paid the price that no one else could.

   How should this affect us as we deal with our enemies? 

   One thing I learned by dealing with these nasty neighbors was that it helped to try and see them through the eyes of Christ.  That is, it helped me to view them as troubled folk who, more than anything, need love, encouragement, and mercy if they are to escape the trap of hatred.   So each act of friendship I showed, in response to their hatred, became my personal way of trying to help them.

   Of course, many times I failed.  But I must say, in general, that God helped develop my character through these people.  And since those days, long ago, its been easier for me to let go of my anger against others.

   Do you have such a person in your life?   Do you believe that God can free you from the trap of retribution?    Can God enable you to show mercy, forgiveness, and grace even when they still seem intent on your pain?

  The cross, an emblem of torture, is the symbol of God's love.  May such love enable you extend His forgiveness for you even to the others that hurt you.