Post by Don Gieseke on Mar 2, 2016 6:53:09 GMT -6
Wednesday, March 2
Who Loves Their Enemies?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
On September 2, 1945, representatives of the government of Japan came aboard the American battleship USS Missouri to sign the documents that officially ended World War II. Allied and Japanese forces were no longer at war. Peace was conditional upon Japan’s agreement to end all hostility toward America and Allied nations. Because Japan stopped “sinning” against Allied forces, peace was declared. If the nations were still active enemies, there would have been no treaty.
That background makes Romans 5:8 all the more amazing: “while we were still sinners [enemies], Christ died for us” (italics added). Christ died for the human race long before any of us were willing to come to the treaty table and give up our hostility toward God. God didn’t say, “I will send Christ to die for you if you will stop sinning against Me.” His love was not conditioned on our compliance. While we were still sinning, Christ died for us. That’s how God loves—unconditionally.
When we consider loving God or others, let us love unconditionally. Who loves their enemies? Those who love like God.
You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive and love your enemies.
Corrie ten Boom
"In Touch Ministries"
Who Loves Their Enemies?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
On September 2, 1945, representatives of the government of Japan came aboard the American battleship USS Missouri to sign the documents that officially ended World War II. Allied and Japanese forces were no longer at war. Peace was conditional upon Japan’s agreement to end all hostility toward America and Allied nations. Because Japan stopped “sinning” against Allied forces, peace was declared. If the nations were still active enemies, there would have been no treaty.
That background makes Romans 5:8 all the more amazing: “while we were still sinners [enemies], Christ died for us” (italics added). Christ died for the human race long before any of us were willing to come to the treaty table and give up our hostility toward God. God didn’t say, “I will send Christ to die for you if you will stop sinning against Me.” His love was not conditioned on our compliance. While we were still sinning, Christ died for us. That’s how God loves—unconditionally.
When we consider loving God or others, let us love unconditionally. Who loves their enemies? Those who love like God.
You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive and love your enemies.
Corrie ten Boom
"In Touch Ministries"