“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
This post was prompted by responses to Brent Leatherwood’s tweet below.
Below is a small sample of responses to Leatherwood’s gracious comment. The depth of vitriol was stunning many, if not most, coming from his own SBC cohort.
As I read through more of the comments I was increasingly incensed and saddened by the hatred and obliviousness toward Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies. Amidst those emotions, prompted by the Spirit of God, I experienced conviction; revealing how much my heart embraces, if not hatred, distain for my enemies. It is a low bar to love those who love me. I found myself in the company of the of Leatherwood’s critics. It didn’t take much introspection to hear the echo of my own words and thoughts about my “Feinsteins”.
God have mercy on me.
STILL ON THE JOURNEY