In our moments when we feel unloving - when grace is not abound in our hearts - or when the thought of forgiveness is far from your mind, remember it was Jesus who first wanted us to love our enemies. Rather, He wanted us to 'pray for those who persecute' us. Certainly not easy, to some, not even possible. Images of Holocaust, tribal wars, drug dealers, 9/11, Maguindanao massacre comes to mind. One thing we're reminded of, something to keep in heart as well, that grace knows no limit. There is a blurred line between unfairness and grace, but it reveals that God is the one to execute judgment, as it was never ours.
Through the medium of prayer we go to our enemy, stand by his side, and plead for him to God. Jesus does not promise that when we bless our enemies and do good to them they will not despitefully use and persecute us. They certainly will. But not even that can hurt or overcome us, so long as we pray for them...We are doing vicariously for them what they cannot do for themselves.
Dietrich Boenhoffer, from "What's So Amazing About Grace?" by Philip Yancey
(photo courtsey of Status Magazine)
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