E29 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - Love - A Tough Requirement - Pt 1 of 2

Hope’s Harbor

Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #29

Title: Fruit of the Spirit – Love – A Tough Requirement – Part 1 of 2

Date: November 22, 2021

Contact: info@hopesharbor.net

Key verse(s): 1Corinthians 13:13 – ‘And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.’

Matthew 5:44 – “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…”

Intro: The first of two key verses, 1Corinthians 13:13, comes at the end of a passage many Christians are familiar with. 1Corinthians 13 is the love chapter of the Bible, meaning Paul wrote a detailed account of love in action. He then summarizes with vs 13 declaring love is the greatest of faith or hope.

I want us to see one of the more difficult practices love requires us, no, more so, the Son of GOD requires us to fulfill and that is to love our enemies.

To fulfill this command of Jesus it helps to understand what it means to ‘love your enemies,’ and what it does not mean.

Devotion focus: Is it possible to love our enemies?

Luke 6:27 – "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…”

Luke 6:35 – “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Luke 6:36 – “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”

Jesus lets us know He understands any objection we may have concerning loving our enemies. Listen carefully to Luke 6:32:

Luke 6:32 - "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”

Let’s examine what loving our enemies is not – it is not allowing an abuser to have his or her way by violence – it is not allowing someone to assault us or a loved one, and for me as a former police officer, it is not to allow an assault against an innocent person. It is not to fail to serve in our armed forces if called upon. Besides, military service is so broad there are plenty of non-combat roles to fill.

With that out of the way, loving our enemies may involve looking out for their safety and/or welfare when it’s in our power to help them.

There have been plenty of instances in war where military personnel rendered kindness to the enemy, usually POW’s. That would be enemy POW’s.

But there have been incidents where the enemy rendered kindness to US military personnel.

What I’m about to describe was an act of love, but could have caused major problems for the enemy pilot involved.

This pilot encountered a low flying, heavily damaged B17 bomber.

The fighter pilot, who was also an ace, could have shot down the bomber for an easy kill, instead flew up beside the damaged plane and motioned to the bomber pilot. He then escorted the bomber to the North Sea, saluted his enemy, and flew away.

The link is to an interview in 1990 when the two pilots met 47 years after the event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8EkmyoG83Q

I’ve also included an image from a painting of that encounter and information to obtain a copy if desired. (I’m not an affiliate of valorstudios.com)

The image is from a painting by Nicholas Trudgian – prints available at valorstudios.com/collections/a-higher-call - Titled The Guardian.

(I could not get the image copied into the document here - you may view it at the link above to valor studios)

This remarkable story is an example of love shown to an enemy. The act of mercy by the fighter pilot, who was credited with shooting down two dozen Allied aircraft during the war, was something he chose to do, despite his training and duty. He answered to a higher calling.

What about you and me? What will we do when faced with the choice to walk away and avoid helping someone in need, or do what we can to possibly relieve suffering?

When Jesus said to love our enemies He gave the extreme requirement of love and I believe He did so to help us see if we can learn to love our enemies we can definitely love others who may be difficult to love, but not impossible. Please listen carefully to the following:

I have a heart for the homeless. First off, homeless people are not our enemy. Did you hear me? Furthermore, there are more than 500,000 people homeless in the USA alone. Think about that number.

Have you ever visited a homeless encampment? Now, let me warn you, use wisdom here. First of all, don’t go alone. And don’t go deep into a wooded area trying to find a homeless camp. If you want to help, find the homeless in a public area. And don’t give money. (More about this later.)

And please, don’t go with a Joan-of-Arc mentality. Consider carefully if you want to reach out. Are you going to sustain contact, or is it a one-time act of kindness?

I brought up the homeless because many people are either hostile toward them, or fear them. But most of them I’ve met are focused on surviving. And what it takes them to survive may seem counter-intuitive to our way of thinking and living.

But they are us. Many were at one time working and living what many would consider a normal life. Then something happens, life goes sideways and they end up on the street. Sometimes it is their fault, other times they got overwhelmed and just walk away. I’ve heard accounts of both. Sometimes a chemical addiction, or unemployment, or being abandoned by a spouse caused them to choose life on the street.

Now about not giving money. Why not give money? Because most likely it will go for something to numb the misery and not for food. My wife puts together care packs and we keep a couple in our vehicles to give out. But before we do, when we meet someone homeless we ask first if they want a care-pack with food. The majority of the time the answer is yes. A few times the food is refused and money is requested instead.

Most people living on the street are decent people. A few are vile in their language and actions, but this is where the principle of loving someone who isn’t very nice comes in. Love them anyway, even if all you can do is pray for them after they tell you to leave them alone.

When you are refused don’t force the issue, or food, or clothing, whatever you’re offering, and for goodness sake, don’t preach!

Another area to consider loving others is prisoners. Those in local jails, or penitentiaries. To get involved with serving, it’s easier to contact an ongoing jail/prison ministry and serve with those who have experience in dealing with all that’s involved with this kind of outreach.

I admit this is light fare when compared to loving one’s enemy when it may be a guard in a political prison camp. For a real-life story of this happening read Corrie ten Boom’s book The Hiding Place. Available on Christianbook.com (Again, no affiliation.)    

Summary: To love in the Biblical sense is first a decision to act. Most likely it will not at first involve warm feelings toward others. Feelings of love take time and involvement and that’s not what love is always about, especially when showing love to those considered enemies to our way of life.

Action to consider: There are many ways to love those for whom we have no affinity. Those who oppose our way of life. Hostility to our intentions is a common reaction when we try to do good. You must be tough.

However, let me encourage you to pray and ask GOD for opportunities to show His love to a lost and dying world. Then go out and find some way to help others and then just go do it.

If serving the homeless is something you’re able and willing to do, I’ve included a list of items in the appendix my wife uses when making up a care pack.

Next week’s devotion: Part 2 of 2 - The love of GOD and love for GOD

Appendix:

Each care pack may contain, at a minimum, the listed items

1 can of soup w/ pull tab lid

1 large heavy-duty plastic spoon to be able to reach the soup can bottom

1 napkin

3 individually wrapped good items

1 travel size toiletry item

1 small container of hand sanitizer – clean hands can be life-saving

5 lifesavers mints

Some add a Gospel tract. We use those from the Billy Graham Evangelistic organization because they are not affiliated with any denomination. Also, we tell those who accept the care packs about there being a gospel tract in the bag, so there are no surprises.

Listen, this is very important: treat those who happen to be without a home with respect. There should be NO conditions set before giving out a care pack. Let your act of love speak more than words, more than having an agenda.

If you choose to go to areas the homeless frequent and go on a regular basis then consider what will happen if you suddenly quit going.

This kind of venture can be unpredictable. Expect touching moments to happen at times. At other times you may give and get no thanks in return.

Last thing I can offer is, be ready when needs for medicine or warm clothing are told to you. Kris and I will sometimes go to a store and buy clothing in the winter. Just buy the clothing far enough away that it cannot be easily returned for cash. Other times when it comes to medication, we’ll buy if it’s over-the-counter, like cough syrup, cold meds, or cough drops.

I’m praying for you who find this is something you want to do. GOD bless you.