Good morning, Lord. I’m starting my day with a deep sense of gratitude for your love, mercy, grace, and sacrifice. You are too wonderful for words.
So… I’ve got a few things I’m sorting through that I need some clarity on. Consider this a process check.
The Sermon on the Mount, which, by the way, was an outstanding piece of work. Wow. So in the sermon, you say a lot of really great stuff, but then, about a third of the way through, you say this…
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43–45, ESV)
When I read through these words this morning, I couldn’t help but believe that you didn’t really intend for them to pertain to our culture. Right? I get that you were working with your disciples to shape them into the followers you wanted them to be, I mean, people that led and loved like you did. And I know that the Romans were rough to be around, and an oppressive sort… and then the religious leaders, yikes, those guys were intense… but that was then, and this is now.
I’m just confirming with you that I get a pass on loving my neighbor, let alone my enemy. Right? Different time, different message. (By the way, have you seen the yard of the guy around the corner? What is that guy thinking. No worries, I’ve already notified the HOA!)
I mean, have you heard about some of these folks (I would use other words to describe them, but I am writing to You)? They’re out there. They would love to get rid of any mention of you. They mock and ridicule and they even legislate in a way that conflicts with the Bible. I get a pass on loving these people, I’m pretty sure of it.
But then, I read this yesterday. It was written by a guy named Thomas a Kempis. I’m sure you know him. He had the nerve to write this: “Jesus Christ alone is to be supremely loved, for He alone is found good and faithful above all friends. For His sake and in Him let both enemies and friends be dear to you, and pray for them all that they may all know and love Him…”
I’m assuming that because this was written 650 years ago, that what this guy wrote doesn’t apply now. I mean, seriously. Have you heard some of the people out there now? No way should I ever consider them “dear to me”. How out of touch.
So again, just checking in to make sure we’re all good. Different time. Different rules. Right?
I would appreciate a quick response since I have a great message to post in X, and a few Instagram messages to forward. I’ll wait to hit Send until I hear back.
You know where to find me.
Your servant, Dan
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