By Dunford Cole

Have you ever been hurt by someone you’re close to? How about someone you considered to be a friend? 

It hurts us when the people we love let us down, but what about the people we aren’t close to? Does it hurt? Do you even give it a second thought? 

The truth is, most of us don’t care about our enemies. We couldn’t care less if we see or talk with them at all. 1 John 4:20 makes it clear that if anyone says they love God yet hates their brother, they are a liar. 

Did Jesus yell and curse at the crowd? No, he simply said, “Father, forgive them.” 

The next time that guy or gal you don’t care for disappoints you, instead of getting upset and reacting — stop! Thank God that you have the chance to show someone how the Holy Spirit is at work in your life.. 

Ask yourself these three questions:  

1. Can we love our enemies?
2. What does it mean to show mercy? 
3. How can we follow Jesus’ teachings?

Dunford Cole is pastor at Camp Ground/Rutlege Methodist Church and presiding elder for Six Rivers and Midpoint District.