Matthew 5:43-44
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. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.…
When I was a kid one of our teachers took us over to the VFW to meet the WWII vets. They talked for a while about the war and then invited questions. I asked one of the what he remembered most about being there. He told me that what he could not forget was all the ‘regular’ people in Germany would say that it was ok that the Jews got killed because “the Jews killed Jesus” and he couldn’t understand why the actions of a few of the elite condemned the entire population. “that isn’t what Christians should think” he said sadly. Today I hear the same thing said of the Muslim people, people of color, people with different lifestyles, people of different races; and yes, there are some bad ones but there are many who are not.
I also know people who hate those closer to them, family, work associates, acquaintances and yes true neighbors. What good does that do? Except for increasing the rage and anger and hate in the world (the devil’s work) it does nothing. But to forgive and to pray for them…that changes things. It changes our stress; it may change their lives and it changes how we think about one another. (it also leads us to heal old wounds and understand one another).
So instead of hate, let us all pray and love. Let us reach out to God to give us the love and compassion that even those who have hurt us need. Hate accomplishes nothing; Love changes everything.
Pray for your enemies by Matthew Hart
I hear some people calling for revenge and retribution
But all that does is just add to the confusion.
Some people want to riot and cause great chaos
But there’s something that God is trying to get across.
When we can’t find true justice on this earth
Just remember that God know what a soul is worth.
If someone gets away with a terrible injustice
It can leave you feeling bummed out and disgusted
But that person won’t be able to hide
For in God’s kingdom they will never abide
For we’ll all stand before God’s judgment seat
And be sifted like the tares and wheat
The fleshly man wants retributions and to get even
But remember what happened to a man named Stephen.
He stood there while they stoned him to death
But remember what he said with his last dying breath
He said ‘Lord don’t charge the with this sin’
And then his time in heaven began
Jesus asked God to forgive the people what were killing him
And that should make you want to sing a victory hymn
Even in his darkest time and hour
He was still the resurrection and the power
Let’s endeavor to be a good witness like Jesus and Stephen
And remember that it’s not our responsibility to get even!
Amen
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