God Loves His Enemies. So Should We.

“And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.” (Isa 19:22 AV)

The LORD is not a respecter of people when it comes to whom He will redeem.  When we think of Egypt’s treatment of God’s people and the fact God desires to redeem them reveals the depth of God’s grace.  Of all the ancient people who we think do not deserve the grace of God, Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon are the high three.  But, the grace of God has come to all men.  There should be no prejudice where the grace of God is concerned.

Over the years, I have met missionaries who felt led of the LORD to serve a people they once fought in war.  I have met a missionary who fought in WWII, came home, got saved, and returned to Japan as a missionary.  I have known several missionaries who were saved in the service during the Korean and Vietnam conflict only to return after college and calling to the very people whom they once had in their crosshairs.  Our human nature wants to think there are those who are unredeemable.  Specially if we have suffered at the hands of another.  Jesus said it this way, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Mt 5:43-45 AV) Our Lord teaches us the practical application of the verse above.  If the LORD loves His enemies, we are to love them, too.

Let’s face it.  We have all suffered at the hands of others.  During my school years, I was bullied all the time.  There were three fights, constant playground bullying, and even and attempted swirly.  It was not an enjoyable childhood in any stretch of the imagination.  However, those who inflicted the harm are still objects of God’s desired grace.  I am no better than they just because I am a victim.  If our nation would simply realize that all souls of men are precious in the eyes of the LORD and He desires all men everywhere to repent, then perhaps we might threat one another with a little more love than we normally do.  If God can forgive, what is our excuse?