“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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 do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43:48

Over the past few days we’ve traveled again through parts of Virginia including a drive through some of the Civil War battlefields like Manassas where two Battles of Bull Run took place. This was a time when friends became enemies and sometimes it feels like we’re at a similar point in time without the weapons.

Time magazine reported on a trend, I’ve heard from friends and pastors over the last few years – estrangement of families and friends. Whether it is a political divide or disagreements on faith, the issue of no longer being on friendly terms is real.

In the verses above, Jesus delivers a difficult message that applies to all of us. We are to “love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Most of us would like to see our enemies destroyed (maybe not literally), but have we considered Lincoln’s view of destruction?

Paul echoes the words of Christ –

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.

Romans 12:18-20

The message is simple, but how is it accomplished? When our enemies succeed our tendency is to mourn and despise their success. When our enemies are suffering, our tendency is to find consolation in their pain and we rejoice.

Our “enemies” are human beings, just like us. Shouldn’t we extend the same kind of empathy and compassion we have received from God?