Love Your Enemy
This past week, we saw the events that unfolded in Parkland, FL. As a result 17 people lost their lives many of them high school children. This was just a horrible event played out by one 19 year old man named Nikolas Cruz. I cannot even begin to fathom the pain and suffering the parents of these children are going through as they try to make funeral arrangements for their children. I ask for your continued prayer for these poor souls dealing with such a difficult tragedy.
To all these parents, they must look at Nikolas Cruz and see him as their enemy. A ruthless foe who stole away their most precious possessions and hope for the future. I am sure if given the chance to spend some time alone with him, they would beat him senseless. This would be a normal reaction as retribution for wronging someone. The Jews back in World War 2 were given that opportunity to face their captors after they were freed. They were allowed to inflict pain and suffering back on these German guards who would beat them and deny them basic necessities.
One freed Holocaust survivor stated " It was good, I liked it. At the time nothing could have given us more satisfaction. It was perhaps the sole
thing made it worthwhile to have survived the war being to able to allow ourselves that".
I am sure the families of Jaime Guttenberg, Luke Hoyer, Gina Montalto and the other 14 victims families would like to have that opportunity with Mr. Cruz.
But this is contrary to what Jesus revealed in His teachings. In Matthew 5, it says:
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;
for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
So it is easy to do good to those we love but we are being asked to do good for those who have done evil? Does not seem fair..
It goes on to say in verse 48,
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Just like being hot and cold at the same time, being human and perfect just does not seem possible. This is a tall order for someone who just lost their most precious loved ones. I am in awe of those poor souls who lose loved ones to drunk drivers and somehow find the capacity to forgive them. There are the true super heroes.
There is justice however. Paul writes in Romans something similar but with a more ominous message to the those who spread evil and destruction.
"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord.
Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17
Good advice but a hard pill to swallow.
The reality is that our anger, hate and desire for vengeance do not affect the person we are directing it towards. These emotions only harm us. This is probably why God compels us to forgive and live peaceably with all as it is physically and psychologically beneficial to our well being. He created us so He should know. As posted last week, Love never fails...
God Bless these people in Florida and continue to keep them in your prayers this week.
And that is the Whole Truth. God Bless
and remember God always answers His kneemail.
