“Love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you.” - Luke 6:27
I believe that this is one of the most preached and popular verses (or passages–Luke 6:27-38). Most of us also have read and understood it (very well). After all, it is not so difficult to absorb the full meaning and its implications. But does the frequency of it being preached and read (or understood) is indicated by our actions and conducts?
Pay close attention to this story:
A graduate student named Jack asked God for a ministry in one summer. He contacted several organizations but found no openings. Finally he had to take any job available. He ended up driving a public transportation bus in Chicago. A street gang rode his bus everyday without paying and made threats against him.
One day they dragged him off the bus and beat him unconscious. In the hospital, Jack was bitter toward them and God. “Lord,” he complained, “I prayed for a ministry and all You gave me was this lousy job and a beating!”
Jack pressed charges, and the gang members were arrested and found guilty. But during the trial, God began replacing Jack’s bitterness with compassion and love. When the judge pronounced the sentence, Jack asked for permission to serve their combined jail time. Stunned, the judge said, “There’s no precedent for this!”
Jack replied, “Yes, there is.” He explained that Jesus died on the cross for a guilty world. Jack’s request was denied, but he began visiting the young men in jail and saw most of them come to Christ.
People who can love their enemies are revolutionaries, just like Jesus. As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions (or sins or trespasses) from us (Psalms 103:12). While we were still weak, still sinners, and enemies (of God) we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son (Romans 5:6, 8, 10).
Jesus asked us to do the same and follow His example. It is not beyond our capacity to love our enemies, if we realized that we were once enemies to God, but have received the greatest love in the world. It is challenging, indeed, but I believe, if we humble our hearts and pray, “God, I need Thy grace everyday, to love our enemies, and to follow your examples”, it would be revolutionary. Remember, to love a friend is natural, but to love an enemy is Christ-like.
And [Stephen] falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” – Acts 7:60
This devotional is adapted from Our Daily Bread, 2012 Annual Gift Edition, written by Joanie Yoder.
