Love your Enemy
I came across a story, dr. Martin Luther King shared in one of his sermons, Loving Your Enemies. During one of Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaigns, an opponent by the name of Stanton, for some reason, hated Lincoln. He publicly degraded him, made unkind remarks about Lincoln’s physical appearance, and tried to embarrass him. Despite all this, Lincoln was elected President and, like all previous presidents, was given time to select his cabinet. Naturally, all presidents choose intimate associates, persons they can trust to be the best candidates to implement their programs. When it was time for him to select the all-important post of Secretary of War, Lincoln appointed Stanton. Naturally, there was an immediate uproar in his inner circle, and adviser after adviser cautioned him, reminding him of the ugly things Stanton said about him.
“He is your enemy,” one cried out.
Mr. Lincoln’s answer was terse and to the point: “Yes, I know Mr. Stanton. I am aware of all the terrible things he has said about me. But after looking over the nation, I find he is the best man for the job.” Stanton did an outstanding job and rendered invaluable service to the nation.
After Mr. Lincoln’s assassination, many people said beautiful things about him, but the words of Stanton remain among the greatest. Standing near the dead body of the man he once hated, Stanton referred to him as one of the most remarkable men that ever lived and said, “he now belongs to the ages.”
Through the power of love, Lincoln transformed an enemy into a friend. This same attitude made it possible for Lincoln to speak a kind word about the South during the Civil War when the feeling was most bitter. Asked by a shocked bystander how he could do this, Lincoln said, “Madam, do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” [1]
Today our reading piece is from Proverbs 25: 21-22, If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord will reward you. Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, raises the bar when he tells his followers, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. [2] Luke writes along similar lines in his rendition of the same sermon, But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
It is one thing to preach a message; it is another thing to live that same message. The apostle Paul encourages persecuted Christians exiled through the Roman provinces with these words – But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God. To this, you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. [3]
Christians are set apart by how we respond to our enemies. Both Jesus and Stephen asked God, as they were breathing their last, to forgive their enemies. As we are called to do likewise, let us go through a few practical steps:
- Allow God to change your heart
- Put yourself in the other person’s shoes
- Pray for them
- Be first to forgive and show love
- Pursue unity and peace
GRACE CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK: It was said of Archbishop Leighton, a Scottish minister of the 1600s, that to do him an injury was to secure his lasting friendship. As we fast approach the end of the year, let us ask the Holy Spirit to show us where we have fallen short in this specific area of our lives this year. And if at all possible, let us go and make amends!
[1] https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/212014/a-gift-of-love-by-martin-luther-king-jr/9780807000632/excerpt
[2] Matthew 5:44
[3] 1 Peter 2: 19 – 23
