In the Presence of Mine Enemies

Just how do we deal with those who don’t like us, right or wrong? What is the proper view to have towards those who oppose you? Towards those who hate you the most, how should you feel towards them? Jesus’ answer was simple, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44) Jesus’ solution to our enemies, was never to have one! We must remember, there can be no enemy unless you create one. In addition, there can be no battle, if one is only left to fight with themselves. No matter what anyone thinks or feels towards us, as Christians, we are called to love. John was adamant in first John chapters 2, 3, and 4, where he said… “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness,” 1John 2:9,  and  “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him,” 1John 3:15, but most importantly, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1John 4:20. The hallmark of those who know Christ, has been, and always will be, their capacity to love and forgive!

In a world filled with violence and hate, how important do you suppose it is that those who know the true and living God, show love one towards another? Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35) Understand, there can be no hatred or enemy where there is love, especially like the love Christ has shown to us! Remember,  “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23) So know, there can be no enemy unless you create one, and against our enemies, they can have no war if we refuse to fight one. The admonition to all God’s children is simple… “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the each other.” 1Jn 3:14 

Rev. Joel M McDuffie Jr.

5/30/2017