Love your enemies

Scripture: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:43-45)

Last weekend I went to a party with some friends, and someone brought the movie "Fireproof" to watch. At first, I have to admit that inwardly, I cringed. I know it's a Christian movie, created by the same people who made "Flywheel" and "Facing the Giants" - both movies I very much enjoyed. But "Fireproof" carries a message about marriage.

I'm in my early 40's, and I am not likely to get married any time soon. It just isn't my calling, so I wondered how much I would enjoy the movie.

Boy was I wrong! "Fireproof" proved to be a movie about relationships and not just marriage. I thought it was really well done.

So why would I pick a scripture about how one should treat one's enemies, you wonder. I'm not being sarcastic or negative, don't get me wrong. But rather, the story is about a husband and wife who, after a few years of marriage, have forgotten how to treat each other kindly, and in fact, live in a house of strife and anger.

I don't want to give the movie away, I highly recommend you see it, I don't care if you're married or single - you will get something out of it. But let's just say one spouse learns how to love the other through some serious hardships. At one point, one character asks, "How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?"

Wow .. isn't that what God is doing with His creation? He is just waiting for His people to come to Him, to recognize Who He is, to give their lives to Him. He continues to make Himself present to them, through sunsets, "close calls" when you have some kind of near accident, unexpected blessings, the miracle of birth, unexplained healings. He is constantly calling His creation to Himself.

The concept of treating others kindly through adversity doesn't apply only to marriage, but I can see it working through any relationship; parent/child, between siblings, friends, even in the work place. And it's not about being phony or insincere, but genuinely sharing the love of Christ with others through acts of kindness. Romans 12:19-21 says "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

This is one of the many callings we have as Christians. We don't beat people over the head with the bible, shame them or judge them - but we are to love people into the kingdom. We all have our own testimonies about how we came to know Christ, but I'm certain everyone has a story of an unexpected kindness shown in a time of need that made in impact in our lives.

Rent or buy "Fireproof". You won't regret it. And I challenge you to share Christ's love with those around you in unexpected ways.

Prayer: Lord, help us to shine Your light to others through genuine acts of love and respect. Help us to share Your word but with less words - and more action. Let our actions speak louder than any amount of preaching we could do.