For those living in South Africa, the
extent of racial prejudice is no secret. We all know of the invisible wall that
still exists between the majority of different races. We know how races avoid
each other and call each other insulting names. One still sees and hears of
extremist and hate-filled interracial behaviour. We do, however, find minorities
that have excellent relationships across racial borders.
If it is like that years after
apartheid was abandoned, how must it have been during the peak of racism—the
time when Pete committed his crimes? He stole because the only impression he
had of white people was one of oppressors who lived in luxury while he and his
family had to live in poverty. Only in jail did Christians reach his heart.
Imagine that all people calling
themselves Christians, especially the white people of that day, had obeyed the
Lord’s teaching and loved their enemies. The Lord did not ask us to like our
enemies. He wanted us to be patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not
proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, not keeping record of
wrongs with our enemies. He wanted us not to delight in evil but rejoice with
the truth. He wanted us always to protect and trust our enemies, always to hope
the best for and persevere with our enemies.
How can you trust your enemies? You
trust the Lord to deal with them.
If Pete’s enemies, white people,
loved him as above, do you think that he would still have wanted to break in
and steal from them? Would he have wasted seven of the best years of his life
in prison? How many Petes are there in prison - tens, hundreds, thousands? If
their enemies loved them, would they have wasted their lives in prison?
We are not talking only about the
Petes who were hurt by racism. There are many Petes all over the world who are
embittered by many other things. Most of those in prison are embittered by
their parents, society, or even religion. It can be anything. In the process
they have made many enemies, and as a result, they act as enemies to society
and not only to individuals.
When a rebellious young person acts
violently against an individual or vandalizes private property, it does not
necessarily mean that person has anything against that individual. He might not
even know the person. If such a rebel has a grudge against society, and if
society shows him nothing but love instead of dumping him in jail, won’t he
eventually change his attitude?
Most good and ordinary people have
families who give them lots of love and attention. But consider the street
children, drug addicts, gang members, etc. Would they have become like that if
they had caring and praying families? I say no; they would have been with their
families instead of on the streets.
What happens to those youngsters once
they’ve grown up? They become criminals. What would then be the best way to
prevent crime? Love those unloved ones! If each Christian would go out once or
twice a week and love the unloved, crime and vandalism would decrease in most
countries. The enemies of society do not need policing, they need love. Even
lonely adults need only to be loved and listened to now and then.
Jesus said to pray for those who
persecute you. Why must we do that? It is simply because they do not know what
they are doing. Jesus prayed on the cross: “Father, forgive them for they do
not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).” Persecutors are hurting and
vulnerable to instigation from the devil. The murderers, thieves, vandals, and
so on are hurting because they compare their terrible circumstances with the
seemingly glittering conditions of the “fortunate” as they see them. The hurt
of embittered people is the ideal breeding ground for the sin of persecution,
and the Lord can bring light to their darkened minds only if somebody prays for
them.
Jesus spelled out the sacrifice of
love. We are to love those who do not love us. Godly love is not a business
deal. We are not to give while looking for what we can get.
Jesus mentioned tax collectors. They
were businessmen. They had found out that if they “love” their customers, they
get results in the form of money. The friendly person in the modern shop has
the same intentions, and so do most businesspersons or professionals in today’s
world. But if you owe them money, see how their “love” changes?
Jesus also mentioned greeting only
our brothers. Have you ever walked past somebody you knew, but she completely
ignored you? The next moment she heartily greeted somebody else, maybe a client
or friend. How did you feel? Rejected? Like scum?
How many people have you made to feel
like scum, an outcast, by not even greeting them, let alone loving them? Love
is a sacrifice; it is doing something you don’t really want to do, greeting and
loving the unacceptable for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
The youth outreach team of our church
often worked with street kids. We gave them as much clean fun as possible and
linked that to the name of Jesus. (I’m not talking about religious Children’s
Church stuff, but about playing, chatting, and so forth.) I hope one day they
will look back, saying, “The greatest times in my miserable street life were
when Jesus played with me.”
As a pharmacist in the United Kingdom, part of my job was to
issue a heroin-replacement medicine to addicts to help them break the power of
that drug. Since I love these people so much, I spent a lot of time chatting
with and loving them while handing them the drug. I asked about their families,
played with their kids when they accompany their parents, and congratulated them
when their dose had been reduced.
When I hand medicine out, I regularly ask people whether they want to be healed and when they want it, I pray a short authoritative prayer for their healing, trusting the Lord to be true to His Word in Mark 16:17-18: "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my
name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly
poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get
well.” These are not necessarily people I like, and some often don't treat me well, but this type of love would draw attention, and people would ask why I do it. When the time is right, somebody will ask me, and I will
answer that Jesus loves them. Even if they don't ask me, the Holy Spirit will reveal it to them, leading to them searching for Jesus.
The world is used to competing with
their enemies, having to fight their own battles, and overcoming their own hardships.
If their enemies then show them gentleness, kindness, and forgiveness, it will
be impossible for them not to notice a difference. Guess who will benefit by
it: the Kingdom of God.
Love, however, does not come
naturally. Love comes only from God. We are way too selfish by nature to love
unconditionally. For us to obey this commandment, we need to be filled to the
brim with the Holy Spirit’s presence and then simply make the decision to obey.
Jesus ended these words with "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Don't miss the revelation in the next message on what He meant by 'be perfect'!
For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.
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