Obey God: Love others

When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this! And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”

—Luke 22:50–51

“Lord, should we strike with our swords?” was Peter’s question. But so caught up in the moment was he that Peter (most likely he was the one) couldn’t wait for his Master’s response—he took matters into his own sword–wielding hand. Peter probably thought, “The Lord allowed me to carry a sword, didn’t He? So why not use it?”

Had you been the man with the severed ear, which act would have likely convinced you that Jesus was Lord: the stings of Peter’s swift sword or Jesus’ compassionate and healing touch?

Since 9/11, sharp swords and tongues have exacerbated the tensions in today’s troubled times. “The world is in serious trouble, needing serious help,” said Commissioner R. Steven Hedgren, territorial commander, during his recent charge to the Friends of Christ session of cadets.

I believe that God is calling us to initiate His divine love—even toward people we perceive to be our enemies. For only by our love will the world know that we are Christians.

God is fully capable of defending Himself; He doesn’t need us to do that. He needs us to obey His commands.

Long before an international debate on religious tolerance captured headlines, I frequently joined forces with street evangelists and went “toe–to–toe” in spirited conversations with members of the Nation of Islam in Harlem. Many times we traded theological truths in the shadow of the 116th Street mosque.

Although our discussions were always “hot,” we never burned one another’s sacred texts in effigy. We respectfully “agreed to disagree.”

Interestingly, we always found common ground on the topic of meeting human need. We agreed that the community was hurting physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And if we were “worth our salt,” we had to address those felt needs.

A rabbi who actually taught religion at a Christian university explained to me, “Mutual respect [between believers of different faiths] is the foundation of constructive dialogue.”

During these troubled times, let us not be ashamed to stand and speak the name of Jesus—even in the face of no agreement. But may we also remember that He wants Christians to obey Him, not defend Him. “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21–22)

by Warren L. Maye (TSA USA Eastern Territory)