Devotional Tuesday: Our Place in a World of Violence and Hate
A devotional reflection on the words of Jesus for his people in a divided America
With political polarization and division at a generational high, it seems unthinkable for unity to exist with such divisive narratives and sentiments abounding in our nation.
It seems absolutely fictional that we would be processing an attempted assassination of a political leader here in America in 2024. The divisive nature of our current political climate has infiltrated and infected every sphere of our society.
Hatred and animosity for others with opposing views is not only tolerated but encouraged and touted.
Even amid politicians and leaders condemning the use of violence publicly, we have to see that the totality of their words, attitudes, actions, and tactics don’t truly hold peace and love to be their primary ideal or objective.
Our world—as it always has in its fallen state—will always seek power over compassion.
Jesus rejects this idea.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43–48
Jesus suggests an impossible way of living… Loving those who oppose us.
There is no majority or significant group, nation, people, organization, or religion that has offered this same sentiment… and the Church of Jesus Christ has often failed as well.
Jesus suggests something that is only possible when we truly submit our whole beings to him.
Loving the enemy is not humanly possible. It requires boldness, strength, and power from the Holy Spirit which must daily supersede our human and fleshly desires.
Our natural instinct is to blame our enemy. Show their error and justify our reactions.
Jesus calls us to love them.
While we are able to have our opinions and retain our unique personhood, as followers of Jesus we are unable to live in division due to our primary identity which is found in Christ.
American politics must never lead us to division, hatred, violence, or animosity.
Notice that Jesus claims that the Father does not withhold some measure of good to anyone. All are given the gift of rain and sunshine. Likewise, we must give love and prayer to all people regardless of their beliefs, practices, sin, background, voting record, _______…
Lets mine out one key point here from Jesus today…
pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44
I think it is safe to say that in our current political climate we all feel a little persecuted by someone… In some capacity, we are all persecuted by someone or group. That is the nature of the world.
Yet, we are called to pray.
I think many of us have understood this to pray for God’s will to be done. We have interpreted this to mean that we should pray for them to “get saved” or that God would “transform their life.”
While these are not opposite of God’s will since God desires that all would come to him, praying in this manner does little to transform our heart. It does not efficiently help us love.
We need to pray for them. We don’t need to pray for something to happen to them or for them to become like us. Rather, we need to simply pray for them. Pray for God to bless them. Pray with joy for them. Pray with love for them…
I have found that when I pray with love for someone I find difficult, I receive God’s love and begin to feel that love toward them.
I think the easiest way to love our enemies is to pray with love for them.
Not that they would no longer be our enemy or they would join our side, but simply pray for them. Our prayers may play a part in their transformation, but our prayers ought to play the most pivotal role in transforming us into someone who loves.
When someone persecutes you, pray love over them, not hate.
When someone persecutes you, pray blessing over them, not destruction.
God is in control and will judge as he will… but we are given the ability to be transformed by God into those who offer love and experience love.
Our Christian church—the body of Jesus—needs to embrace this kind of love for others.
Hate and violence have not place in body of Christ. They will exist in our world as long as humans reject Christ, but as for us, we must love those who oppose us.
This is impossible without the Holy Spirit. Pray with us today.
Holy Spirit,
Help me love my enemies.
Help me pray for them.
Show me how to love.