My Enemy My Brother: Part 2

Do Good To Those Who Hate You

Our actions pour from the overflow of what is brewing in our heart. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart[g] brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:34-35) When we are hurt by someone we tend to concoct a bitter solution of revenge. Once this solution is mixed its effects tend to display itself in uncontrollable wrath either passively or aggressively. Yet, we are called to display our trust and love in the supremacy of God’ s sovereignty over every circumstance in our life by our good deeds to all people; even those who hurt us. These good deeds are the overflow of worship. This moves me to my last act of love.

Pray For Those Who Spitefully Use You and Persecute You.

This is the one act of love that caught me off guard. It makes sense and is consistent with the Christian faith, but seems so incredibly hard to genuinely fulfill. When God calls us to pray for those who molest our well being and assault all that we hold precious, he is calling us to worship him. Every prayer that is lifted up with a sincere heart of concern and love for our enemies is an act of reverence in God and his sovereign power. Every prayer that pleads for forgiveness of our offender is an act of enjoying God’s mercy. Every prayer that begs God to open the heart of our attacker to see the beauty and splendor of Christ, is an act of belief that God himself is supremely enjoyable, and is able to save the souls of even the most desolate. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, believed this when he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” as his attackers stoned him to death (Acts 7:54-60). Loving our enemies is an act of worship and is the overflow of our love for God.

God Himself Is Our Example

There are a couple of ways God justifies such a tall order. The first is seen in the text; “He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust”. Everyday is an act of God’s common grace for all people. He sees the Muslim, the Buddhist, the Hindu, and the New Ager blasphemy His great name. He hears the atheist deny his very existence and seeks to defame His character. He watches over those who play church and go through the motions and rituals, yet live a hypocritical life trampling the Son of God under their foot. And He knows all of the countless others who give no thanks to Him for providing the air they need to breathe, or the food to eat, or the job they need to make money that helps pay the bills; or the doctors to operate on a cancerous tumor. And still He blesses them all. He gives them what they need to exist and be somewhat happy until He decides that their life is over. All of these are His enemies. And for these He demonstrates His love for them by taking care of them.

For the next demonstration we need only to look to the cross. God paid the ultimate price for his enemies. We are all born enemies of God (Gen 3, Romans 1, 3, 5, 8). None of us choose God or desire to obey God. We are hostile towards Him and hate everything He is about. We are completely depraved of any good until He extends to us mercy. And for us He chose to send His Son to die; to rescue us and redeem us. He offers this gift of mercy to all of His enemies. It is a pity that few accept it.

Here is a thought for you. If God were to do to you what you desire to do to your enemies; what would happen to you? Would you be loved and overwhelmed by mercy; or would you suffer and be humiliated?