Title: Love and Pray for Your Enemies
Love your enemies and pray
Text: Matthew 5:43-48
“I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
A rich father of three sons promised to give an heirloom to the son who did the best.
The first reported the good he had done.
"He saved a child from drowning."
"Well, you did a good job."
The second reported.
"I saved a child crawling into a bonfire."
"You did a good job too."
The third said, "I rescued an enemy from a cliff."
Then the father said, "To love your enemies is the greatest good," and gave the heirloom to the third.
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay” (Romans 12:19).
French painter Georges Rouss completed the figure of Jesus in several engravings.
“Jesus Crucified” and “Jesus Being Insulted,” he is also famous for giving unique titles to each of his works. Among them, there is a work titled ‘The righteous puts incense on the ax that strikes them like a juniper tree’. What a profound title. The life of applying incense to the blade of the ax that cuts himself, isn't that the life of Jesus?
Jesus was nailed to the cross. He was nailed to both arms and legs. And on his head was a crown of thorns. was dying blood flows. But I prayed to God to forgive me for not knowing what they were doing toward Satan. Jesus swallowed the power of Satan with love. Satan was bound, and Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. The enemy was given to Christians to teach us to devour them with love like the Lord. After that, the Christian soul is revived.
Just like Jesus did, deacon Stephen prayed for those who stoned him (Acts 7:59-60).
Just like the cedar that grew up eating the morning dew, those who have received abundant grace from God must be able to apply incense to those who are like an ax that cuts them down.
“Do not take revenge, do not grumble against your fellow men, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18).
U.S. Air Force Lieutenant “De Chaser” was one of Major General Doolittle’s bombers who first bombed Tokyo during World War II to demoralize the Japanese government. He volunteered as a bomber to avenge the loss of his wife during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. At that time, the bombing of Tokyo was a very dangerous and adventurous operation to sortie from an aircraft carrier and return to Chongqing, China after finishing the bombing. He frantically dropped bombs on Tokyo and returned to Chongqing, where an engine failure caused an emergency landing in a Japanese-occupied area in China and he was captured. He received Jesus during his four years of suffering while traveling through various concentration camps. After graduating from seminary after the end of the war, Shazer was sent as a missionary to Japan in obedience to the Lord's command to love his enemies. True victory is not revenge, but love. Revenge only breeds revenge. A Christian is a person who seeks revenge for love.
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as loved children, and walk in love as Christ loved you” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
An American publisher pleaded with President Washington to save the life of someone sentenced to death. President Washington replied, "I'm sorry, but I can't save your friend." Then the publisher said: “He is not my friend. He is my enemy.”
President Washington, who was moved by these words, spared the death row inmate. After that, the death row inmate is said to have become a good friend of the publisher. Jesus' words to love our enemies are not easy to keep. It may even feel like a statement that is impossible to keep. However, if we decide to put those words into practice and strive to do so, we will experience amazing things that we did not expect. It changes not only the other person, but also ourselves. Pointing out the other person's faults and taking revenge will not solve anything. When we love and forgive, change happens. That is why the Lord commanded us to “love your enemies.” Make amazing changes with your love for your enemies.
‘Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourself with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and long-suffering, and if anyone has any dissatisfaction with anyone, be forgiving and forgiving one another, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you. Above all these, add love, which is the perfect bond' (Colossians 3:12-14).
One of the reasons Lincoln has been respected so far is because of his inclusive ability to embrace even his own enemies. Here is an anecdote that speaks well of Lincoln's tolerance:
Lincoln never denounced his opponents in a vacant position. Moreover, he was judged to be the right person for the job, and he did not hesitate to sit down even those who criticized him. The staff of Lincoln's camp, who could not see this kind of thing, came to Lincoln one day and said,
˝Aren't we supposed to treat those who slander us properly? The enemy must be eliminated.”
After listening to the advisers, Lincoln replied:
Yes. I think so too. But I know the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him a friend.”
Revenge only calls for revenge. Greed, envy, and jealousy all only lead to sin. Only true love can heal broken hearts and heal relationships. Be open-minded and tolerant of all things with love.
“Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
* Prayer: Loving God, make all my deeds a tool to communicate You. Even if it is someone who harms me, forgive me and love me because of you. Give me a heart of love that can love even my enemies and pray. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen
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