October 21 Live At Peace With Everyone

Do not gloat when your enemy falls. When he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn His wrath away from him. ~Proverbs 24:17-18

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. ~Romans 12:17-21

So, I’ve got a question for you: how will you feel if your side wins this November in our upcoming election? How will you feel if you lose? How will you feel, in fact, how do you already feel about those on the opposing side? What do you think that God thinks about all this? As His children, how can we think like Him? These are actually tough, soul searching questions for us all to ponder as the days go on.

I know that Kathy and I have been dismayed as we learn how many of our friends, peers and colleagues differ in their opinions from ours. It is a bit disconcerting and challenging to accept the fact that there are so many differing views. It has been humbling to soul search and evaluate and contemplate all the issues and the candidates and learn that being Christian, doesn’t necessarily mean, of one mind, while on this earth.

What has been hardest to witness is the divisiveness, the name calling, the dehumanizing that takes place on both sides. It actually reminds me of when we were in the thick of dealing with our son’s mental illness. We learned so much back then. Chris had two categories for the people in his life. The ones that he loved, friends, family, he saw as human. The ones he didn’t like, doctors, probation officers, teachers, bullies, were robots, or “not human.”

It amazes those of us who are supposedly of sound mind, how anyone can walk into a situation and just begin randomly shooting and showing no mercy for the ones who die. Often the mentally ill see their victims, as subhuman, or not human at all, because they have no emotional connection with them that brings them to life. However, before we think too much more highly of ourselves, consider that in our history as a people, we have done similar.

We have used nicknames to identify nations with whom we were at war. I’d rather not list them here. It’s enough to admit that we, as sane people, have used derogatory names to refer to those of whom we are opposed. Dehumanizing is one of the ways that we can feel better about advancing against them and it just adds to our justification by claiming that they are evil, and we are good.

Today, the categories may be different, but the vitriol is not. It’s easy to become entrenched in our own positions, dehumanize the rest, and fear the evil that will come if “THEY,” win. We’re hearing a lot of doom and gloom about what will happen if our opponents win, as if that will be the final chapter and God is not still in control. As Paul said, however, before he penned the words to 1 Cor. 13, his famous Love chapter, “Let me show you a better way.” (1 Cor. 12:31B)

We need to remember that satan is our enemy, not any human opponents. Dehumanizing and horriblizing ishisgame, not God’s way. We do best when we can avoid playing his game. Christ died for those who oppose us, and He loves them as much as He loves us. We must always recognize everyone’s humanity. Jesus does. We say, “In all things charity.”

Can you believe that those who oppose your point of view actually do so because they believe that their way is the best for their fellow man? Can you believe that they are just as concerned as you are, they just don’t agree on your approach to fixing things. Sure, there are those in leadership, on both sides, who may have an agenda that is bent toward power, and that may be evil, but most of us want to see good. We just disagree on how to go about it.

“Do not gloat when your enemy falls. When he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice” He may just be another sinner as confused as you are, needing God’s pity and grace as do we all. When we keep this thought before us, it is easier to live at peace because we can see our opponents as fellow travelers who are seeking the right way, just as we are.

Don’t get me wrong. When I get the opportunity, I will defend my position and I do seek to stay informed and to stay on my knees before Christ. How else can I test and sharpen my ideas, or be corrected by greater wisdom? However, I try hard to never forget the humanity of those who oppose me, that they are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and most of all sinners, and flawed, as am I. I remember that I am in need of as much mercy and grace as they are and that God is honored best as I strive to live in peace with everyone as much as it is possible with me.

The divisiveness breaks Jesus’ heart. The one thing he prayed for us before the cross is that His followers would be united. (John 17:20-26) It seems to be the one thing that satan is determined to destroy above all else. Someday, Jesus will reveal all truth. Then we will know who was right and who was wrong on every issue. Until then, however, it may be that He allows us to be tested, to see if we can rise above our differences and love anyway.

Prayer: Father, I want to be a peacemaker! I will see all people as human just like me. Help me to love even those with whom I disagree most vehemently. My anger does not invalidate their ideas. Help me be humble enough to listen and admit the possibility that I could be the one who is mistaken. But let Your Truth, bring us both together. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Song: Revolutionary