Choose Love – Love your Enemy

Jesus said in Matthew 5:43. You have heard that it has been said, thou shall love your neighbor, and hate thine enemy. How can this be done?

This story is allegedly ascribed credited to President Abraham Lincoln. It is a story that expresses great wisdom from which we can all benefit.

During the course of the Civil War, many people of the northern states believed that President Lincoln was becoming “too caring” toward the people of the South. In private, many people spoke unkindly concerning him but few were willing to do so publically.

Choose Love, Not Hate

There came a day when President Lincoln was to present a public speech concerning the status of the war. It would be on this day that one man would express his true beliefs. President Lincoln made an encouraging and caring discourse concerning the status of the war that plagued our nation. At the conclusion of his speech, the custom was, as it is now, the president entertained questions and or comments from the audience. This gave a man the opportunity to speak. He said something to the effect that, “I hate the enemy with every fiber of my being. I hate who they are and what they stand for. I cannot help that I hate them so much, but hate them I do, and you should hate them as much as I do!”

Choose Love for your Enemies

The president paused for a very long moment as he considered the man and his words. Then, President Lincoln replied with a question—“Do you want to get rid of all the hate you have?” The man thought and cautiously replied, “Yes.” Then, President Lincoln, gently said, “Make your enemy your friend and you will remove all your hate!”

Paul said in Ephesians 4:32. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.

If our heart is full of love, then there will be no room for hate. And if our heart is full of hate there is no room for love! Love or hate— It is all up to us.

See also:  Baptized | Gospel | Christians  

Bible Classes

In Christian Love,
Bill Arnold, Minister
Ridgeway Church of Christ
Harrison Arkansas

To be Saved and become a Christian – YOU MUST DO THESE THINGS

Becoming a Christian, Saved, Born Again, In Christ, or becoming a new creature all talk about salvation.

1) You must believe and confess that Jesus is the son of God. John 8:24 Jesus said you must believe that He is the Christ the Son of the living God. Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 8:36-37 further tells us to confess that Jesus is God’s son.

2) Luke 13:3 Jesus said you must repent of your sins.

3) Mark 16:16 Jesus said you must be baptized.

4) Live faithfully unto death. 1 John 1:2

As a new creature, a Christian, we will live faithfully unto death and then arise to live forever with God. This is the God who loves you, who wants you to be his child. You can become the child of a King!

Won’t you heed His word?