So it is really hard to go through life and not make an enemy of some sort. I have in my lifetime made very, very few enemies. This town is far too small to have enemies and far too closely knit to do ministry in a town where you have enemies. I believe it or not, have enemies in the ministry. Atleast they think of themselves as my enemy, I truly don't get it. They are people who I helped out while they were going through a rough patch, Tara and I were there for them and listened to them. Then, they got things back together and are now doing ministry. One of the first things they did when they started doing ministry was delete us from their friends on facebook. I don't understand why, Tara used to go places with them on a regular basis as the kids played together. It's sad, but these types of things happen all the time.
No, these people are not enemies to us at all, but for whatever reason they feel as if we are. So, I enjoy doing good things for them. First of all, because I don't feel as if anything has changed at all. Secondly because of a verse in Proverbs and in Romans 12:20: If you enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink, In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
My example above is a poor one in this sense. They are not true enemies in any phase of the imagination, but if you have enemies, known sworn enemies follow this verse. By doing this you are fulfilling to purposes(killing 2 birds with one stone so to speak, haha) First of all you are showing the love of Christ which should be at the forefront of everything we do as believers. SEcondly, you are winning the battle, you are breaking down the barriers and the walls lovingly. If they are truly mad at you, they will be overwhelmed by the fact that you are showing compassion toward them and then they will be even more angry with the situation and less angry with you.
So love your neighbor as yourself, and love your enemies even more!
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
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