For sinner-saints like us, pulling off something as simple as walking in Jesus’ sandals is never an easy assignment. He is God; we are not. Hanging from a cross, he could pray, “Father, forgive them.” In the heat of our battles, we find that kind of prayer a challenge. A good test to determine if you are guilty of hating someone is to ask yourself, Can I sincerely pray for this person? If you are forced to admit that you cannot, it’s time to do some serious soul-searching.
When it comes to having a meaningful relationship with an unbeliever (particularly one who is hostile to our faith and acts like Satan’s offspring), we are way out on a radical limb, living in a counterintuitive no-man’s-land where the only worthwhile plan is to trust Jesus at his word. “Fear not; I am with you,” he whispers. “Now go and do your work. Remember, you were once in the same boat. Love those unbelievers, even as I have loved you. Reach out to them with my peace.”
You and I have a purpose and a meaning for our lives that line up with the commission that our Lord has given us. Like the old hymn says:
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before.
Christ, the royal master, Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle See his banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before.
Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before.
Crowns and thorns may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never ’Gainst that Church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, And that cannot fail.
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before.
Onward, then, ye faithful; Join the happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song:
Glory, laud, and honor Unto Christ the King;
This through countless ages Saints and angels sing.
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before. (CW 537:1-4)
Christianity is not for the faint of heart. But, then, the new heart that God’s love has implanted within us is anything but fainting. It’s a vibrant heart—one that can, and does, “bless those who persecute [us].” Did you hear that? “Bless and do not curse.” Our at-peace heart is eager to do its very best “to live in peace with all men.”
The relationships we have with the unbelieving world explain why we are still here. We have work to do. The nature of some of our work could take us out of our comfort zones and place us into hostile territory. Our approach to seeking out our target is radically different from the approach that the unbelieving world would take. The Lord points the way: “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you” (Proverbs 25:21,22).
Excerpt from A Heart at Peace: Biblical Strategies for Christians in Conflict.