Probably the aspect of the religious right that disturbs me the most is the apparent disregard of the insistence of Jesus that we are to love our enemies. I have pondered the following today and it brings me both compunction and consolation:
Ye have enemies; for who can live on this earth without them? Take heed to yourselves: love them. In no way can thy enemy so hurt thee by his violence, as thou dost hurt thyself if thou love him not. And let it not seem to you impossible to love him. Believe first that it can be done, and pray that the will of God may be done in you. For what good can thy neighbor's ill do to thee? If he had no ill, he would not even be thine enemy. Wish him well, then, that he may end his ill, and he will be thine enemy no longer. For it is not the human nature in him that is at enmity with thee, but his sin.
I love this post!! I agree with you completely.
ReplyDeleteEllie, you have an uncanny ability to remind me of what I need to be focusing on. Thank You. I'm also reminded of Anne LaMott's "Plan B" in which she works on loving her president :-)
ReplyDeleteNamaste
I agree with you but ... my enemy might be stumbling over something wrong in my life which needs correcting. Their animosity could well be Christ speaking to my heart. After all he comes in disguise at times.
ReplyDeleteOh, I completely agree with you, Brian. Our enemies are actually the most precious teachers we have. You're right. They help us learn to see our blind spots.
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