February 13, 2015

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:9

“I had a man in my parish in Indiana, who was a very (rude) fellow. He had a wife and daughter…who needed instruction. I went to see and talk with them. He heard that I had been in his house, and shortly afterwards I passed down the street in which he lived. He was sitting on the fence, and of all the filth that was ever emptied on a young minister’s head, I received my share. He threw it out, right and left, up and down, and said everything that was calculated to harrow my pride. I said to myself, “Look here, I will be revenged on you yet.” He told me I should never darken his door again, to which I responded that I never would until I had his invitation to do so. Things went on for some time. I met him on the street, bowed to him, spoke well of him, and never repeated his treatment of me to any one. I always spoke kindly of him. Very soon he ran for the office of sheriff, and then I went into the field and worked for him. I canvassed for voters; I used my personal influence. It was a close election…but he was elected. When he knew I was working for him, I never saw a man so utterly perplexed as he was. He did not know what to make of it. He came to me one day…and undertook to “make up”, as the saying is. He said he would be very glad to have me call and see him. From that time forth I never had a faster friend in the world… Kindness killed him. I won his confidence.”
Henry Ward Beecher (1813 – 1887) Yale Lectures on Preaching

If our love is genuine, then we love all people, not just the ones who love us back. Hopefully someone in your life has told you at some point that it is far better to “Kill someone with kindness” then to seek vengeance. It is amazing how kindness gives your enemy nothing to hang their anger on – while venom toward your enemy just empowers them to hate even more. Let love be genuine Paul says. So what is genuine Love? Genuine love is a love one lives out, demonstrates on all people, shares with everyone they meet – not just with those who love them back. The love the Good Samaritan shows the man who was left for dead is genuine love. Paul will go on to write, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor…” And the Prophet Muhammad said “Anyone who believes in G*d…should entertain his guest generously” – or like the Good Samaritan, show extravagant hospitality. Yes, it isn’t easy, but where does Jesus ever say that they way of the cross would be easy?

Pastor Dave