Making Connections : Our ability to love will stand as a proof of our faithfulness to Christ
Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
In the days of the American Revolutionary War, there lived in Pennsylvania a Baptist pastor by the name of Peter Miller who enjoyed the friendship of General George Washington. There also dwelt in that town one Michael Wittman, an evil-minded man who did all in his power to abuse and oppose the pastor.
One day, Wittman was involved in treason and was arrested and sentenced to death. The old preacher started out on foot and walked the whole 70 miles to Philadelphia to plead for the man's life. He was admitted into Washington's presence and at once begged for the life of the traitor. Washington said," No, Peter, I cannot grant you the life of your friend."
The preacher exclaimed," My friend ? He is the bitterest enemy I have !"
Washington cried," What ? You have walked 70 miles to save the life of an enemy ? That puts the matter in a different light. I will grant the pardon. "And he did.
And Peter Miller took Michael Wittman from the very shadow of death back to his own home in Ephrata - no longer as an enemy, but as a friend.
Love in practice can be the most complicated thing in the world. Jesus knows how complicated it can be. "But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you ? For even sinners love those who love them. " (Luke 6: 27, 32 NRSV )
The test of love is not how you treat people whom you like, such as family, friends and neighbors. The test of love is how you treat people who don't like you. The idea is to be like God. Jesus says," But love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. " (Luke 6: 35-36 NRSV )
Why could Jesus ask God to forgive the people who humiliated, abused, tortured and killed him ? Because that is what God does and that is what God's people are supposed to do.
Loving our enemies means loving all of our enemies. We are not allowed to pick and choose whom we are going to love. So, the mandate to love includes enemies like snipers, terrorists and despots. It also includes competitors in business, members of other sports teams, opponents in lawsuits and people in the other political party.
In the same sermon Jesus says that a tree is known by its fruit. Since one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is love, our ability to love our enemies will stand as a proof of our faithfulness to Christ.
- With thanks to Wesley Taylor, Tualatin United Methodist Church, Tualatin, Oregon, for the story about Rev. Peter Miller.
David B. Bentley is the pastor at First United Methodist Church of Rogers and can be contact at 631-7997 or by email at rogersrev @ sbcglobal. net.
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