Editorial December 30, 1961 Issue

"Love your enemies"

Ralph E. Wagers

Faced with major challenges to their safety and security, Christian Scientists choose to depend upon methods that they have proved to be effective in what might be termed "minor challenges"— much as a mathematician uses the principle of mathematics in solving whatever problems he may be confronted with. Whether the integrity of their nation is challenged, or that of their church, their home, or their person, they seek to do what Paul counseled in his second letter to the Corinthians when he spoke of "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (10:5).

Because technological and productive skills will ultimately become available to all men, no nation can find security in an ability to annihilate its opponent. In an attempt to reach a point where they can utterly destroy each other, men have reached the ultimate of military folly. Under these circumstances Christians have no choice but to turn confidently to the Bible for direction and guidance in order that they may help to solve what otherwise might be unsolvable problems.

What do they find? They find a way to overcome their enemies without harming them. "Love your enemies," said Christ Jesus, "bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:44, 45). This directive cannot be repeated too often. Is love too high a price to pay for peace, when the lack of it threatens to wipe out the civilization and culture that have been centuries in developing on the earth?

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