Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies,” appear’s to be an unreasonable command by our Lord. Man is naturally hostile, and vengeful toward each other. Hate and misery are yoked together, as I imagine are, forgiveness and happiness.
To love your enemies would be our ultimate will, desire and Christian goal. I suppose those who have attained this high ideal, “to love your enemies,” will discover and have come to the place where our Lord desires all His children to be.
One of the most magnificent aspects of Jesus character was this type of impartial love for His enemies. For any Christian, man or woman to achieve this will have had them join the ranks of the true sons of God, Matt.5:45, “That ye may be the children (sons) of your Father which is in heaven.”
But my question to you would be, are we not to get involved when a neighbor, or a nation is under attack? Are we not to intervene in order to defend the helpless, the weak, the poor the outnumbered? This especially when they are confronted with cruelty, rape, murder or even extinction?
Were we to stand by as the Germans first attacked, conquer, and then began to exterminate millions of innocent, helpless men, women, and children? These are questions we must all ask ourselves.
From the bottom of my heart, I beg for an answer, “Am I to stand by, to do nothing as others cry out for my help.” How in good conscience can I stand by? How can one intercede without breaking the Lords commandment to, “Love your enemies’.”
As for me, I can only say it’s a personal decision. I am not saying my decision is right or wrong. But If my decision has been made in prayer, compassion and a love that is totally void of hate, vengeance or animosity, then whatever choice I iimake would be the correct one according to God’s will. What else am I to do? it’s how the Holy Spirit leads me. As for each individual, that choice, that decision will determine the path they take.
This is the best answer I can give at this point in my life. I struggle with it continually. Its easy to talk, but if my neighbor needed my assistance, and cried out for my help, my choice would be to help him. this regardless of any personal loss on my part.
My assistance would have no hate or vengeance attached to it, only to help, nothing else. Law and justice will have the final say. This is the best answer I can give now. I pray the Lord it is the correct one for me.
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com