Romans 5:8
But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us.
I stand before you today to share a profound message that is
profoundly counterintuitive yet extraordinarily transformative. It is a message
that holds the power to change our lives and our world – the divine call to
love our enemies and make peace. This principle that is rejected by the logic
of the world is rooted in the supernatural spirit of our Christian faith,
inspired by the teachings of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
It might seem almost impossible in a world where vengeance,
resentment, and hatred often reign supreme. But remember, we are followers of
the one who said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28).
Essentially, this call is not to deny the existence of enemies or the harm they
may inflict. Instead, it is a divine invitation to rise above our natural
inclinations of resentment and retaliation, to manifest God's unconditional
love and forgiveness, even unto the least deserving.
When we talk about loving our enemies, it does not mean we
must agree with them or disregard their wrongdoings. It means acknowledging that every
individual, friend or foe, is a precious creation of God. It means bearing
witness to the divine image in every person and daring to believe that even the
hardest of hearts can be softened by the touch of God's love.
This love is not passive; it is active, engaging, and
transformative. It takes courage to love those who have wronged us, to shed
bitterness and embrace forgiveness. But in doing this, we align ourselves with
God's grace, bringing healing, reconciliation, and peace. We become instruments
of God's peace in a world longing for love and unity.
Making peace, however, does not happen overnight. It is an
ongoing process that begins within each one of us. As Jesus said, "Blessed
are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew
5:9). Hence, each time we choose love over hatred, forgiveness over resentment,
and dialogue over dispute, we embark on a path of peace-making, reflecting our
heavenly Father's character.
To love our enemies and make peace, we need to delve deeper
into the wisdom of God's Word, draw strength from prayer, and lean on the Holy
Spirit's guidance. We need to open our hearts to God's love, let it transform
us, and then extend this love outward. When we do this, we find that our
enemies are no longer the objects of our hatred but become the subjects of our
prayers and love.
As we navigate this often-challenging journey, let us
remember the example of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He showed us the ultimate act
of loving an enemy when He prayed for those who crucified Him, saying, "Father,
forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
His life, death, and resurrection remind us that love always prevails. Love
disarms hostility, bridges divisions, heals wounds, and ushers in peace.
Beloved, let us dare to love, to make peace, and to embody
the teachings of Christ. As we do so, we not only transform our lives but also
impact those around us. Our actions may inspire others to reject hatred and
embrace love, creating a ripple effect of peace and unity. For is not
this the Kingdom of God we strive to build on Earth? A Kingdom of love,
forgiveness, and peace where every heart is touched by the grace of God.
It is not an easy path, but it is a worthy one. Let us walk
it together, drawing strength, wisdom, and courage from our Lord Jesus Christ,
who showed us the way. In this journey, may we continually remember that the
power of love is more significant than the love of power. Through love and
peace, may we truly become the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and the
ambassadors of Christ.