Can You Really Love Your Enemy?

"Anyone who claims to be in the Light but hates his brother is still in the darkness." -- 1 John 2:9

Francis Schaeffer, the great Christian apologist, once said, "Love is the final apologetic. It is the defense for which there is no defense." I think these words go with our verse for today quite well! The "birthmark" or "mark of identity" for the believer in Christ is love. If a person can hold on to grudges, hate or anger something is seriously lacking in their faith. It could just be they do not have genuine faith in Christ at all and are lost! A believer in Christ cannot feel peace when holding a grudge or hate in his heart!

Love is not an easy thing to extend to those who have hurt or offended us. This week we will look at just how one might love the "unloveable." To kick the week off, I want you to think with me about something in your time with God today; Jesus knew Judas would betray Him when He chose him to be one of the 12 disciples. Jesus was fond of Judas, served him (even washed his feet) and genuinely loved the one who would betray Him with a kiss! Have you loved with such fierce devotion? The natural man could never extend such love to an enemy but for the believer in Christ "all things are possible through Him who gives us strength!"

James