08/27/2007
Proverbs 24:17-18, 25:21-22 (NIV)
Do not gloat when
your enemy falls;
When he stumbles, do not let your
heart rejoice,
Or the Lord will see and disapprove
And turn His wrath away from him.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
If he is thirsty, give him water to
drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.
On December 13, 2003, American troops found Sadam Hussein hiding in a hole, shriveling with fear. It was too easy for Americans to wag their fingers and say “it serves you right.”
But interestingly, the Bible has something different to say. “Do not gloat when your enemy falls.” Furthermore, when he is hungry, give him food; when he is thirsty, give him water. This concept goes completely counter to our human nature. But when you think about it, it is completely in line with the words of Jesus, when asked which was the greatest commandment; He answered “Love the Lord your God with all your mind, soul, and strength, and the second, is to love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus went on to explain that everyone we encounter is our “neighbor”.
God calls us to love Him first, and then to love everyone else. We find it difficult to love our enemies. But this is the very thing we are commanded to do. You see, if we love God, and others as well, He will be our protector.
I am not saying that we should not defend ourselves from aggressors, nor am I saying that we should not hold criminals accountable for their crimes. But I am saying that in so doing, we should treat them with respect and dignity.
Now let’s bring this message home to our daily lives. While we are engaged in battle with militant Moslem groups abroad, it is easy for us individually to look at people of Arabian heritage who live among us with disdain and contempt. The lesson for us is to love them, and treat them as beloved neighbors. The outcome will be one of two. First, they may see the true love of God and be influenced into a right relationship with him, or they will continue to rebel and God will deal with that rebellion.
Our job is simply to love our neighbors.
Pray that God will help you look on persons of Moslem faith as neighbors; persons you should love as God loves.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2007 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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