JULY 26, 2012
Changing Enemies Into Friends
Read: Matthew 5:43-48
But I say to you, love
your enemies . . . do good to those who hate you.
—Matthew 5:44
During the US Civil
War, hatred became entrenched between the North
and South. In one instance,
President Abraham Lincoln was criticized for
speaking of benevolent treatment
for the Southern rebels. The critic
reminded Lincoln that there was a war going
on, the Confederates were
the enemy, and they should be destroyed. But Lincoln
wisely responded,
“I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.”
Lincoln’s comment is
insightful. In many ways it reflects Jesus’
teaching in the Sermon on the
Mount: “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” (Matt. 5:44-45).
We
will encounter difficult people in our lives—some on whom we will
need to set
limits. But to give in to the temptation to undermine or
hurt them in any way
is not God’s way. Instead, we should pray for them,
show consideration, look
out for their best interests, and emphasize the
positive. This may result in
changing an enemy into a friend.
Not everyone will
respond positively to us, but we can pray and
plan for a more harmonious
relationship. What difficult person
can you start befriending?
Lord, some people
in my life are difficult to love.
I am tempted not
even to try to care. But You showed
love to me even
when I was Your enemy. Please direct
me into ways to
love with Your power and grace.
It’s hard to hate someone when you’re doing something
good for him.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
