"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 children 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Tough lesson from Jesus Himself. Lately, the vitriol and polarization in America has reached an all-time high. A lot of mean words have been spewed, along with misinformation, disinformation and outright lies. We seem to be losing the capability not only for civil discourse, but also the capacity to forgive or love.
By the way, forgiveness is the responsibility of the offended. Jesus forgave and loved unconditionally. We can choose whether or not we accept His forgiveness and love, but as He said..."It is finished". It is His perfect will that we love our enemies, and those who persecute us. This means we must even love those who are spewing hate. Even those who are lying. Even those on the other pole. That kind of love is powerful.
We must make every effort to see all our fellow humans like God sees them. They are individually worth Jesus Christ to God. So, no one is worthless, no one is unforgivable, no one deserves to be hated, despised or denigrated. God desires mercy and not revenge. He makes it clear that vengeance is His and His alone. Let the forgiveness flow and watch the apologies follow. Not the other way around.
Love one another, love your enemies. Even if they are wrong, evil or unrighteous. Christ forgave me and commands that I forgive others. Lord, forgive me for how I have not forgiven others and love me even when I am not loving. Use me as an instrument of your peace. Join me?
With His Love and mine,
Pastor Fred
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