Are you sure?
This bookmark will be removed from all folders and any saved notes will be permanently removed.
To love an enemy
Love is a divine power, the power of God at work maintaining justice and upholding divine rights to health, happiness, and life.
When the Ukraine-Russia war began, my heart sank. “The world doesn’t need another war!” I protested. I was distressed by the developing scenes of armed conflict, but even more by a ruler who seemed to wield massive influence over a large population of people, causing them to believe that war was necessary.
As I prayed for spiritual insight on how to be a healing influence, Jesus Christ’s admonition “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) came roaring to my attention. How to implement it practically, though, was a tough question. How do I love a person whose decisions cause thousands to suffer and die? Am I supposed to overlook the evil perpetrated and ignore its consequences? I wanted to know.
As I considered what I knew about how Jesus handled evil, it became apparent that his counsel to love our enemies was not an instruction to overlook evil acts. Jesus did not ignore evil. He faced it fearlessly and defeated it with his understanding of God’s power. He conquered enemies to life and health with Truth and Love. He saved multitudes of people from suffering by removing the influence of sin, disease, and death from their lives. He saved himself from those intent on destroying him. Love, according to Jesus, did not mean ignoring evil but annihilating it.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
February 6, 2023 issue
View IssueEditorial
-
Why am I not in church?
Moji George
Keeping Watch
-
Prayer can resolve economic hardship
Martine Blackler
-
How we can “hold crime in check”
James Rosebush
- Image and Inspiration
-
To love an enemy
Evan Mehlenbacher
Kids
-
A healing after I fell off my bike
Maryann Mckay
Healings
-
Quick healing after being hit by a bus
Ned McCarty
-
Freed of stomach pain
Syd Dunton
-
Congestion gone, hearing restored
Valerie Russell
Bible Lens
-
Soul
February 6–12, 2023
Letters & Conversations
-
Letters & Conversations
Susan Lewis, Katherine Ellis, Dan Schoch