“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

Yesterday I wrote of pardoning others.  Now, let’s go one step further and consider supporting, encouraging, helping and having a genuine care and concern for those we think are out to get us, stab us in the back, play political games, or just don’t like us.  Have I struck a nerve yet? Are you reading this and saying, “Yeah right, Rusty, but that’s not happening any time soon where I work!”  Well, if that is your reaction, let me assure you that you are not alone.  Work is set up to compete both externally and internally.  Sure, we talk about teamwork and all, but it’s down to you and one other person for the next big promotion and the competition is created.  But, what happens when the workplace just gets over those who are not team players and we just don’t take too seriously those who are overly political?  Well, things get a lot better.  We don’t have to always agree with others, but we should do so in a way that is with caring, respect and dignity.

I’m struck by some of the most God-fearing and nicest Christians I know, who when confronted with those who don’t agree with them on places like Facebook, turn into mean-spirited, scathing and vengeful people.  And then we wonder why the love of Christ gets questioned by others.  Jesus was very clear with us.  When we have enemies, we are to do two things; love and pray for them.  There weren’t any “buts or ifs” or caveats.  So, the next time we are confronted at work, on social media, on the street, or in an email, before we react, let’s start with following Jesus’ directions first – love and pray, and when done with those, then see if the next action might be a little more in the likeness of Him.

Reference: Matthew 5:44 (New Living Translation)