Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Love your enemies

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Acts 3:19-23
Peter said to the people, "Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send you the Christ already appointed for you, Jesus ... everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be cut off from the people."

In NBC's new TV series A.D. The Bible Continues, Peter's childhood friend insists that he join them and fight the Romans. Peter smiles and says, "We're fishermen, not soldiers."

He was a fisherman. But Peter smiled because he remembered what Jesus told him, "I will make you fishers of men." Over and over Jesus talked and walked non-violently, and his example gave Peter courage. He had put away his sword.

Yet here he is 50 days later, quoting Moses and threatening excommunication to those who refuse the ordained "times of refreshment." Has he already forgotten Jesus' words?

Just an hour ago Peter and John watched instant healing in a cripple, who put himself in their hands. God's power came like lightning. They were undoubtedly as amazed as everyone else.

So difficult. So hard it is for strong, encouraged men and women to continue leaving their power and dying to Christ, especially when we've done the dying once or twice already. Jesus told Peter to love his enemies. He told him to forgive them seventy times seven - forgive into infinity. There is no such thing as redemptive violence. Our only response can be forgiveness.

This was not the path taken by most of the church Fathers. For centuries violence became an acceptable response to heresy or even disagreement. Kill them! The Crusades focused violence toward the Muslims, justified by Augustine's argument for a "just" war. But there was just as much violence between Christians themselves who had different ideas about the divinity of Jesus, or of Mary, or the Trinity. For centuries the popes commanded armies.

Results of the Reformation (16th century) were no better. Now kings commanded armies against the popes. And the violence previously held within the church simply escaped it. People were still killed in the name of Jesus, just as they were before. There is a simple absolute at question here. To kill or not to kill? Jesus taught us not to kill. Moses taught his people not to kill.

Why do we kill anyway? Lord Acton wisely wrote, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Peter fell victim in Jerusalem, perhaps. We do too.

Forgive us, Father, we do not know what we do. Make us to LIE DOWN in your green pastures rather than standing up to fight. Show us the peace that passes understanding in the shadow of your wings, rather than the blinding sun that reflects off our swords and shields. Let us be satisfied with the Lord's Supper. We have no business drinking the blood of our enemies when you've given us your Son.

Devotions Archive

Love your enemies

Thursday, April 9, 2015