SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:8
(NIV)
Live a life of love,
just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God.
STORY:
In The Grace of Giving, Stephen Olford tells of
a Baptist pastor during the American Revolution, Peter Miller, who lived in
Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington. In
Ephrata also lived Michael Wittman, an evil-minded sort who did all he could to
oppose and humiliate the pastor. One day Michael Wittman was arrested for
treason and sentenced to die. Peter Miller traveled seventy miles on foot to
Philadelphia to plead for the life of the traitor.
"No, Peter," General Washington said. "I
cannot grant you the life of your friend."
"My friend!" exclaimed the old preacher.
"He's the bitterest enemy I have."
"What?" cried Washington. "You've walked
seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in different
light. I'll grant your pardon." And he did.
Peter Miller took Michael Wittman back home to Ephrata--no
longer an enemy but a friend.
OBSERVATION:
How many of us would walk across the street let alone walk
70 miles to save the life of an enemy? Sobering question isn’t it. Just the
thought of going out of our way for the sake of someone who has gone out of
their way to deliver hurt and harm to us sends shivers down ones spine if we
really think about the huge dimension of that reality.
Jesus asks us to forgive our enemies. He asks us to go the second
mile, to give coat and cloak, to turn the other cheek … boy that is hard stuff!
Read about in Matthew 5. It almost seems impossible because we have been
“trained” to get even, to repay blow for blow, to hate our sworn enemies. Don’t
believe me? Just read some of the recent emails that have popped up in the
in-box.
Jesus never said it was going to be easy. And this
illustrates the reality just how difficult it is going to be … but, hey, in the
process a friend just be realized. Isn’t it worth the effort? The alternative
is ulcers, cancer and a joy-less life.
I don’t know about anyone else, but Jesus’ way sounds a lot
better …don’t you think.
PRAYER:
Love is hard stuff God … it is real hard, but with the help
of the Holy Spirit we are going to make it … and change the world in which we
live!
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