A few days ago I ran across a news story that repulsed me so badly I found myself hoping hell is very real and hot. I don’t remember ever feeling quite that strongly about another human being. Maybe for the first time, I felt I was seeing a picture of a man I judged as beyond any hope of reform. All my convictions about loving people no matter what became irrelevant as my mind went to a place where my own child was in the story as the victim. I honestly wish I did not know as much about evil as I do. I’ve learned about some things so heinous I can’t even say them out loud to another person. I wish I could un-know them, but I can’t. I can’t fathom how human beings can get to the place where they are altogether inhuman. But that which looks hopeless to me, is never impossible with God. And even if a person is past all hope, it is not for me to know or deal out condemnation.
So many stories I’ve heard testify to forgiveness in impossible circumstances. Corrie ten Boom’s witness of how God enabled her to forgive the guard from the concentration camp she had been held in, as well as how a terrorist in Colombia was led to Christ by a man he had tried to kill, all give me hope that evil has a mortal enemy. Love.
Not long ago I received two publications in the mail from different ministries serving the persecuted church. The first one I opened was entirely devoted to describing the rise radical Islam in the most derogatory manner, as well has holding in derision any politicians the author felt supported its existence. I felt fear and frustration after looking through it, although the attempt was to raise support for those suffering under Islam’s persecution of Christianity. The second newsletter ironically contained cover to cover testimonies of believers who had forgiven their attackers, sometimes through an intense struggle of prayer. Some had lost family members, others limbs. One newsletter rallied for fighting back, the other for love.
I have thought deeply about violence and in the past few months. My country may not have a war on our own soil, but we are crumbling from within. Random murder and mass shootings lead the headlines nearly every day. No way to predict or prepare for what you may face from day to day, from criminals or even our own law enforcement agencies. But we are good at numbing out so we don’t have to think about it. We believe it will always happen to someone else, but not in my quiet, well-ordered universe. We are also insulated from what is done under our own flag in other places, and the intense suffering of so many, both at home and away. For some reason my eyes have been trained on these suffering ones intensely lately. Sometimes it’s more than one heart can take in. We fear the grief will overtake us, so we choose hardness instead.
If we realized how everything is connected, we could see that we cannot harm someone else without harming ourselves. And Compassion, even when seemingly wasted, never is. To me this is one of the deepest essences of the Cross, past all the theological models of what “atonement” means. He came to make peace between humanity and God. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven. This is His Way, and that is the way I want to walk. He said, “My Kingdom is not of this world or my servants would… ?” What if our first response to evil was not fear? What if there was no fear? This is true supernatural living.
Many people I know want a gun to protect themselves. I am not saying it’s right or wrong. My question is, what decision are we making about our own first response to a perceived threat? After I have thought long and hard, and seen the results of love and fear, I have come to my own conclusion that I would rather die at the hand of evil than to become it. Because even my death, if I were to remain in Love, would be a victory and to live in my hate would be defeat. I do not have the ability to live this desire in my own willpower. I am so quick at self-defense even in verbal confrontation. But I believe I can ask for this gift and make a choice to love now before I’ve been asked to make one in the heat of a crisis moment.
I once discussed with an atheist why I believed in God. I told him the best evidence I know of is the love that He gives His followers for their enemies. I told him an amazing story I had heard at a recent persecution conference. He said the story could not be true, and even if it was – he would label it as mental illness. That it’s not healthy to take that attitude toward an aggressor. Spock would probably agree. It’s completely illogical. And for me, what makes it true.
I will never know the deep wounds so many have in their hearts to heal through forgiveness. I have not suffered the abuse and trauma, or loss, that so many millions have. I can’t say I would be jumping at the chance to forgive. When I see people angry and afraid, I understand. I have chosen that many times. But I find nothing on earth as beautiful as a love that lays down its own life. Maybe that’s why James said, “Count it all joy.”
No More of This by Ramone Romero
“Those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.”
(Matthew 26:52)
“I have not come to destroy sinners, but to save them.
I am calling you to take up the Cross—
I command you to love your enemies,
even those who appear to be My enemies,
just as I loved you while you were My enemies.
“If you do not abide in My love,
you will not know when you hinder Me.
If you do not embrace the Cross,
you will not know when you have become
an enemy of the Cross.
“Put down the sword, My people!
I am warning you for your sake!”
That was a wonderful post. After serving in the military and private sector all over the Middle East over the last 20+ years, and after seeing enough suffering and destruction for many lifetimes, I totally understand this post. I also wrestle with a thorough disgust for the evils of this world. But God, in His infinite mercy, always seems to reign me back to the reality of LOVE. While it is very hard to do at times, we all do need to pray for those who we would call ‘enemies,’ both of ourselves and of God. Jesus died for ALL, not a select few.
God bless you and thanks for this post!
Thank you Joe so much! I keep getting comments from people who should be writing and I should be listening! Feel so inadequate to write about these things, but they are heavy on my heart. God has been dealing with my heart, so that’s what gets written. Scripture does say there is a time for everything, but I have seen the vital thing is not to focus on the always and never types of ideologies that dictate our actions, but seek the higher Way no matter what situation we find ourselves in. I may have the right to kill my enemy, but I have an even greater privilege to love him.
Amen to that!
Just like it is such a humbling experience to see my Savior on the cross, it is truly a great privilege to love my enemy. Your so right — in all things we need to focus on the higher Way, Jesus our example and Savior.
Well thought out article. I too have felt that way about a person who seemed beyond human. But it amazes me that no matter how awful we think he is, God still loves him. God loves the un-loveable. And there is always a possibility for a cry from a person for forgiveness, as long as there is a breath in him. We were just talking about Paul the other day. A well educated enemy of Christians, but what a turnaround happened in his life. Saul to Paul.
This is from a site I found:
“First, we learn that God can save anyone. The remarkable story of Paul repeats itself every day as sinful, broken people all over the world are transformed by God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ. Some of these people have done despicable things to other human beings, while some just try to live a moral life thinking that God will smile upon them on the day of judgment. When we read the story of Paul and know what he had done, it is difficult for us to believe that God would allow into heaven religious extremists who murder innocent women and children. Today, we might see people on death row as unworthy of redemption because their crimes against humanity are just too great. Yet we live our lives in a sinful manner, expecting that God will be impressed by the fact that we haven’t killed anyone. The story of Paul is a story that can be told today—he isn’t worthy in our eyes of a second chance, yet to God he is worthy. The truth is that every person matters to God, from the “good, decent,” average person to the “wicked, evil” degenerate. Only God can save a soul from hell.”
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/life-Paul.html#ixzz2g0daSNdY
That is a great quote! Thanks.
Well thought out article. I too have felt that way about a person who seemed beyond human. But it amazes me that no matter how awful we think he is, God still loves him. God loves the unloveable. And there is always a possibility for a cry from a person for forgiveness, as long as there is a breath in him. We were just talking about Paul the other day. Saul to Paul. This is from a website I found: The remarkable story of Paul repeats itself every day as sinful, broken people all over the world are transformed by God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ. Some of these people have done despicable things to other human beings, while some just try to live a moral life thinking that God will smile upon them on the day of judgment. When we read the story of Paul and know what he had done, it is difficult for us to believe that God would allow into heaven religious extremists who murder innocent women and children. Today, we might see people on death row as unworthy of redemption because their crimes against humanity are just too great. Yet we live our lives in a sinful manner, expecting that God will be impressed by the fact that we haven’t killed anyone. The story of Paul is a story that can be told today—he isn’t worthy in our eyes of a second chance, yet to God he is worthy. The truth is that every person matters to God, from the “good, decent,” average person to the “wicked, evil” degenerate. Only God can save a soul from hell.
And another thing that pops in my mind often is the fact that all these “evil, unlovable, unforgiveable” monsters in our world were all cute little babies, innocent, and loveable at one time. It is so hard to imagine, but what has formed the change from babies to monsters? We can blame society, parenting, drugs, alcohol, evil, etc…We will never know. God knows them from the beginning of their being. He loves them and probably sees them as they once were, still knowing their sins, but waiting to forgive in an instant.
I have thought about that too! It is comforting to know there is a God who believes in justice, but even more so mercy!
Such a good point, Carol. It will help us overcome hate of the person instead of hate of the evil. -The mind of Christ.
Just now seeing these great comments. I haven’t been able to do anything else today but think about this post. What amazing food for thought!!! Again, thank you, Sondra!