{"id":4773,"date":"2023-12-02T04:04:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-02T04:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.persecution.com\/stories\/?p=4773"},"modified":"2023-12-01T16:05:05","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T16:05:05","slug":"how-we-love-our-enemies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.persecution.com\/stories\/how-we-love-our-enemies\/","title":{"rendered":"How We Love Our Enemies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From the Voice of the Martyrs President:
Cole Richards<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Beware of the prevalent \u201ctake-it-or-leave-it\u201d mentality. While skepticism may seem understandable among members of our individualistic culture, we must never put ourselves in a place of criticism or judgment toward any of our Lord\u2019s commands. As I minister to persecuted Christians in restricted nations<\/a><\/strong>, I am struck by their willingness to suffer in order to obey Christ\u2019s commands \u2014 immediately and without qualification. Their example leads me to ask: Have I unwittingly fallen into a trap of obeying only those commands that I understand and with which I agree?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the face of violent attacks by Islamic extremists, our persecuted Christian family members are showing us how to follow Christ. Our Lord has said, \u201cLove your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven\u201d (Matthew 5:44\u201345). Since loving our enemies is such a clear command \u2014 one that Jesus identifies as a distinctive trait of God\u2019s children \u2014 we must not allow ourselves to avoid it. From VOM\u2019s founding<\/a><\/strong> fifty-six years ago until today, reaching persecutors for Christ has been one of the organization\u2019s foundational purposes. We \u201cequip persecuted Christians<\/a><\/strong> to love and win to Christ those who are opposed to the gospel.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since loving our enemies, even our persecutors, is one of the five purposes
of the organization where I have served for nearly seventeen years and that I have led for five, I talk about this scriptural principle more frequently than most Christian leaders. I suppose the feedback I receive has even made me a sort of thermometer that measures people\u2019s attitudes toward this command of Christ. I am sorry to report that our collective temperature runs low and is trending lower, as far too many avoid the topic altogether. People sense that if they engage with Christ\u2019s words, their overarching attitudes and behaviors toward the lost will be forced to change. And they are right.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“People sense that if they engage with Christ\u2019s words, their attitudes and behaviors toward the lost will be forced to change.”<\/p>\nCOLE RICHARDS \u2013 VOM PRESIDENT<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I trust that you are among those who seek to obey Christ on this point. We love him, so we obey his commands. As we move forward in obedience, the fog begins to clear and we can see how to love our enemies. Since they are lost and face eternal separation from their creator, the most loving act possible is to reach them with the gospel, the truth of Christ that the Holy Spirit can use to lead them to repentance and eternal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n\t