The editor of a small, obscure magazine, The Philistine, needed to fill some blank space in order to publish his March 1899 edition. He chose a seemingly insignificant article. It was an opinion piece about American work ethic describing the actions of a soldier in the U.S. Army. A Message to Garcia, told a story of how President McKinley needed to get an urgent message to General Garcia head of Cuban Rebel forces who was somewhere in the jungles leading his troops, not knowing that America had been drawn into their battle to be free from Spain, by the bombing of the USS MAINE.
Lieutenant Rowan was given a mission. He went without regard to his personal safety, the difficulty of the mission, he didn't know where the General was or where to start looking for him. But, he had been told he was personally selected by the President for this message of national security. Filling the role of a capable ambassador, Rowan sucessfully got the message to General Garcia.
The once filler piece has become one of the most published documents in the history of printed word, translated into every major language on earth, (over 100 million copies). Impressive as that is, this article made The Philistine a household name; and its editor, Elbert Hubbard burst onto the national scene as a writer and speaker. Who would have ever thought?
Romans 5:10 “…when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,” “and has given us the ministry of reconciliation…Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ” 1 Corinthians 5:18, 20.
We should, must, forgive our enemies in order to be more Christ like. Christ died for us; He forgave us, and pursued us while we were still His enemies. Our reconciliation is the basis that He chose us to be messengers, ambassadors of an urgent message. Who knows where than could lead?
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
How Love Affects an Enemy
"...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44
The 2010 Super Bowl will always have a special place in my memory. Not only did my beloved New Orleans Saints finally make it to the big game; but they played it in a most unforgettable way. Down only a few points at the half; they decided on a dazzling start that was sure to throw their opponent off balance. Never in Super Bowl history, had a team started the second half with an onside kick; a maneuver usually used late in a game to come from behind when there’s not enough time on the clock to do it otherwise. The coach was called; gutsy, brilliant, bold, creative etc…whatever you call it, they really caught their opponent off guard.
Whether in sports, on the battlefield or fighting the battles in your life, the element of surprise is an effective weapon in being reconciled to your enemy. When we follow Jesus’ command to “love our enemies,” we catch our enemy off guard and the result can be tremendous.
In the Bible, King Saul was jealous of David who had killed Goliath and went on to become a national hero. David’s popularity rose to that above the king’s, and Saul listened to the wrong people. So Saul sought to kill him and put David on the run.
One day, while laying low in a cave with his entourage, David had a perfect opportunity to kill his enemy who entered the cave and was unaware of their presence. Against the advice of his men, David chose instead to show love for his enemy by only cutting the corner of Saul’s robe off. Then, he followed Saul out of the cave to confront him with proof that he was no threat to Saul.
The king was convinced by David’s actions. He was immediately filled with conviction for his sin, confessed, repented and the two lived at peace with one another after that. David did the hard thing, obeyed God, when against conventional wisdom, and won over his enemy with the element of surprise; love.
The 2010 Super Bowl will always have a special place in my memory. Not only did my beloved New Orleans Saints finally make it to the big game; but they played it in a most unforgettable way. Down only a few points at the half; they decided on a dazzling start that was sure to throw their opponent off balance. Never in Super Bowl history, had a team started the second half with an onside kick; a maneuver usually used late in a game to come from behind when there’s not enough time on the clock to do it otherwise. The coach was called; gutsy, brilliant, bold, creative etc…whatever you call it, they really caught their opponent off guard.
Whether in sports, on the battlefield or fighting the battles in your life, the element of surprise is an effective weapon in being reconciled to your enemy. When we follow Jesus’ command to “love our enemies,” we catch our enemy off guard and the result can be tremendous.
In the Bible, King Saul was jealous of David who had killed Goliath and went on to become a national hero. David’s popularity rose to that above the king’s, and Saul listened to the wrong people. So Saul sought to kill him and put David on the run.
One day, while laying low in a cave with his entourage, David had a perfect opportunity to kill his enemy who entered the cave and was unaware of their presence. Against the advice of his men, David chose instead to show love for his enemy by only cutting the corner of Saul’s robe off. Then, he followed Saul out of the cave to confront him with proof that he was no threat to Saul.
The king was convinced by David’s actions. He was immediately filled with conviction for his sin, confessed, repented and the two lived at peace with one another after that. David did the hard thing, obeyed God, when against conventional wisdom, and won over his enemy with the element of surprise; love.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
How to Love an Enemy
One day, this second grader was on his way home from school; when some older boys thought it would be funny to play catch with a water balloon and me in the middle. Humiliated and outnumbered, I stomped off home steaming mad and dripping wet. I fussed and fumed and dreamed of retaliation all the while my mom dried me off.
How do you respond to those who persecute you? Perhaps, more to the point, how do you respond to: Romans 12:14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
It is natural to wish our enemies harm, lash back at them; or even to curse them. But, Paul suggests something different as he reflects Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:44. (“…love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you…”)
I’m tempted to focus on the phrase do not curse; but if that were the emphasis, the word curse would be used more than once. Instead, the word bless is used twice in this short verse. Bless! Why? How does one bless, an enemy?
Consider a couple of definitions for the word bless, or eulogeo in the Greek. Looks a lot like our English word eulogy ; an important part of a funeral service, when we honor the person by sharing fond stories about them, talk about their good character (we usually leave out the bad), or maybe even wish we could be more like them. In secular Greek, the word eulogeo meant: to speak well of, praise, or extol.
Let me suggest that the first step to loving, or blessing an enemy, is not just to stop talking bad about them; but rather to commend them. I know that’s radical and difficult, but necessary if we are to look past their flaws and see their good qualities. Who knows, we might even find out what makes them an enemy in the first place: Are they insecure, feel threatened by us in some way, protecting their selves from…
This puts in place a chain reaction: Our heart follows our head. When we make a conscience choice to do this, our thoughts toward them begins to change and eventually our actions which help us with another hard part of Jesus' instruction.
The second meaning of bless correlates to the second step to loving an enemy: to pray for God’s goodness to be upon someone. Again, Matthew 5:44 “…and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
After you've found the good traits and focused on the person you’ll know what to specifically pray for. By giving us the assignment to pray for their good, Jesus is getting us to take our eyes off of the circumstances and to become more like Him. That we might be able to forgive as Christ forgave (Ephesians 4:32) and be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1). As Jesus hung on the cross for our sins, He said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
The Roman soldiers carrying out the executions that day were just doing their job. They engaged in mockery and despicable behavior as they got caught up in the mood; but they had no idea the depth of pain that Jesus would feel. So too, with those who persecute us, they don’t really know what they are doing. They may even think they’re doing the right thing.
How do you respond to those who hurt you? How do you love an enemy? There’s an intentional aspect to this that moves us from avoiding the conflict, to actively staying on top of conflict.
How do you respond to those who persecute you? Perhaps, more to the point, how do you respond to: Romans 12:14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
It is natural to wish our enemies harm, lash back at them; or even to curse them. But, Paul suggests something different as he reflects Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:44. (“…love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you…”)
I’m tempted to focus on the phrase do not curse; but if that were the emphasis, the word curse would be used more than once. Instead, the word bless is used twice in this short verse. Bless! Why? How does one bless, an enemy?
Consider a couple of definitions for the word bless, or eulogeo in the Greek. Looks a lot like our English word eulogy ; an important part of a funeral service, when we honor the person by sharing fond stories about them, talk about their good character (we usually leave out the bad), or maybe even wish we could be more like them. In secular Greek, the word eulogeo meant: to speak well of, praise, or extol.
Let me suggest that the first step to loving, or blessing an enemy, is not just to stop talking bad about them; but rather to commend them. I know that’s radical and difficult, but necessary if we are to look past their flaws and see their good qualities. Who knows, we might even find out what makes them an enemy in the first place: Are they insecure, feel threatened by us in some way, protecting their selves from…
This puts in place a chain reaction: Our heart follows our head. When we make a conscience choice to do this, our thoughts toward them begins to change and eventually our actions which help us with another hard part of Jesus' instruction.
The second meaning of bless correlates to the second step to loving an enemy: to pray for God’s goodness to be upon someone. Again, Matthew 5:44 “…and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
After you've found the good traits and focused on the person you’ll know what to specifically pray for. By giving us the assignment to pray for their good, Jesus is getting us to take our eyes off of the circumstances and to become more like Him. That we might be able to forgive as Christ forgave (Ephesians 4:32) and be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1). As Jesus hung on the cross for our sins, He said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
The Roman soldiers carrying out the executions that day were just doing their job. They engaged in mockery and despicable behavior as they got caught up in the mood; but they had no idea the depth of pain that Jesus would feel. So too, with those who persecute us, they don’t really know what they are doing. They may even think they’re doing the right thing.
How do you respond to those who hurt you? How do you love an enemy? There’s an intentional aspect to this that moves us from avoiding the conflict, to actively staying on top of conflict.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
IMITATION: THE HIGHEST FORM OF PRAISE
I have many comical memories of my grandmother sheepishly wandering around the house looking for something.
“What are you looking for grandma?” She was too good hearted to lie, which led ultimately to her confessing that she had lost her eyeglasses...once again.
Everyone would pitch in to help her look; it usually wasn’t too hard. Often, they were in plain sight--right under her nose--or-- one time "on" her nose as she actually wearing them while looking for them!
She always giggled when someone pointed them out to her, “I knew I’d find them right where I left them. I just couldn’t remember where that was.”
We excused this behavior saying that she had simply “overlooked” her spectacles.
Is that what comes to mind when you read Proverbs 19:11? “A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
Some of you may think that “overlooking” is practically the same as being blind; ignoring something, or carelessly failing to notice. Actually, overlooking is not a passive thing at all, it’s really quite the opposite. In fact, it is intentional and takes courage.
Biblically speaking, to “overlook” means to “forgive,” and when we do that, we are imitating God. We might change the old cliché, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery” to “Imitation is the highest form of praise/honor.”
When we overlook the wrongs of others, we are imitating God’s extraordinary forgiveness toward us: “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:8-10)
Since God does not deal harshly with us when we sin, we should be willing to treat others in a similar fashion.
Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 82
Randy E. Williams
“What are you looking for grandma?” She was too good hearted to lie, which led ultimately to her confessing that she had lost her eyeglasses...once again.
Everyone would pitch in to help her look; it usually wasn’t too hard. Often, they were in plain sight--right under her nose--or-- one time "on" her nose as she actually wearing them while looking for them!
She always giggled when someone pointed them out to her, “I knew I’d find them right where I left them. I just couldn’t remember where that was.”
We excused this behavior saying that she had simply “overlooked” her spectacles.
Is that what comes to mind when you read Proverbs 19:11? “A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”
Some of you may think that “overlooking” is practically the same as being blind; ignoring something, or carelessly failing to notice. Actually, overlooking is not a passive thing at all, it’s really quite the opposite. In fact, it is intentional and takes courage.
Biblically speaking, to “overlook” means to “forgive,” and when we do that, we are imitating God. We might change the old cliché, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery” to “Imitation is the highest form of praise/honor.”
When we overlook the wrongs of others, we are imitating God’s extraordinary forgiveness toward us: “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:8-10)
Since God does not deal harshly with us when we sin, we should be willing to treat others in a similar fashion.
Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 82
Randy E. Williams
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Me, Myself and I
Randy E. Williams
There was six years between me and my sister, she being the elder. For a little boy it’s challenging enough simply having a sister, but an older one had its special challenges. (She reminded me several times in a day)
While we had more than our share of sibling rivalry, I’m happy to say that we outgrew it and today she’s a great friend. Back then was a different story. The only real concern I can ever remember seeing on her face for me was when blood started flowing. I’m still not sure if it was concern for me, or her because of what she was going to get for hurting me.
We were unified on one point. "Take your brother with you,"we words we’d rebel on. You couldn’t really say that we looked out for each other. No, siree our philosophy was, "Me, Myself and I."
It’s not really different from our society’s philosophy either. A few months ago a friend of mine was riding the Metro into Washington DC with her daughter. She couldn’t really see the map hanging on the exterior wall that well so she leaned forward to see which stop was theirs. Still having trouble reading it she got up out of her aisle seat but as she got up, another lady about her age slide into the her vacated seat and sat next to my friend’s daughter.
The lady turned around and said, "Excuse me I was sitting there with my daughter. I only moved so I could see the map." The seat thief looked her straight in the eyes and said, "Too bad," and turned away. "Me, Myself and I" is very prevalent in the adult world too.
In the New Testament there is a verse in Philippians that says, "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (2:4) There are a couple of things implied there: 1. Look out for yourself. 2. Don’t be so selfish. Others are as important as you are.
When we apply this principle to reconciliation, we will quickly see that we when seeking to negotiate we need to seek for mutually beneficial situations. This is most easily done when we adopted the attitude of Philippians 2:4
There was six years between me and my sister, she being the elder. For a little boy it’s challenging enough simply having a sister, but an older one had its special challenges. (She reminded me several times in a day)
While we had more than our share of sibling rivalry, I’m happy to say that we outgrew it and today she’s a great friend. Back then was a different story. The only real concern I can ever remember seeing on her face for me was when blood started flowing. I’m still not sure if it was concern for me, or her because of what she was going to get for hurting me.
We were unified on one point. "Take your brother with you,"we words we’d rebel on. You couldn’t really say that we looked out for each other. No, siree our philosophy was, "Me, Myself and I."
It’s not really different from our society’s philosophy either. A few months ago a friend of mine was riding the Metro into Washington DC with her daughter. She couldn’t really see the map hanging on the exterior wall that well so she leaned forward to see which stop was theirs. Still having trouble reading it she got up out of her aisle seat but as she got up, another lady about her age slide into the her vacated seat and sat next to my friend’s daughter.
The lady turned around and said, "Excuse me I was sitting there with my daughter. I only moved so I could see the map." The seat thief looked her straight in the eyes and said, "Too bad," and turned away. "Me, Myself and I" is very prevalent in the adult world too.
In the New Testament there is a verse in Philippians that says, "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (2:4) There are a couple of things implied there: 1. Look out for yourself. 2. Don’t be so selfish. Others are as important as you are.
When we apply this principle to reconciliation, we will quickly see that we when seeking to negotiate we need to seek for mutually beneficial situations. This is most easily done when we adopted the attitude of Philippians 2:4
Monday, August 08, 2005
Restoration Is Worth The Price
By Randy E. Williams
I once worked with a guy who liked to restore cars, especially muscle cars. The nicest one that he restored, in my opinion, was a ‘68 Chevy Corvette. Metallic blue with a white convertible top, set off by chrome mag wheels and dual exhaust. Everything that he put on the car was just how the original owner had it. He worked from old photographs, family memories, and talked with people in the business who really knew ‘Vettes. It took him a long time. He had to scour the countryside looking for original parts, but when he was finished, the car was truly a work of art.
1968 came alive again for him as he cruised with his top down and an 8-track tape of the Beach Boys set the mood for a Saturday afternoon ride. When he drove down the road, he got lots of honks, waves and nods from ‘Vette enthusiasts and curious wannabes. Final analysis? It was worth every penny, every drop of sweat and every frustration.
Now, if a car is worth all that . . ., how much more is a brother or sister worth?
Whenever something is restored, it is made it like new again. It is returned it to its original condition and purpose. Of course it is different. Just as valuable, maybe more so, than before.
The New Testament teaches in Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch of yourself, lest you too be tempted."that’s what family is for. Not only do we correct the erring brother (or sister), we also give them a place at the table once again. Too often we never trust them again or treat them the same.
It is easy to look away when we see something going array. It’s easier still to talk about them behind their back, and treat them like aliens from another planet or just be plain rude. However, we cannot be obedient and do these things.
After we have removed the log from our own eye so that we my see clearly, then we should go to that person, one-on-one and seek to restore them. This must be done with all humility and with gentleness. Sometimes, it helps to share from the depths of your experience, perhaps when you were in error once and how someone help you get out.
By Randy E. Williams
I once worked with a guy who liked to restore cars, especially muscle cars. The nicest one that he restored, in my opinion, was a ‘68 Chevy Corvette. Metallic blue with a white convertible top, set off by chrome mag wheels and dual exhaust. Everything that he put on the car was just how the original owner had it. He worked from old photographs, family memories, and talked with people in the business who really knew ‘Vettes. It took him a long time. He had to scour the countryside looking for original parts, but when he was finished, the car was truly a work of art.
1968 came alive again for him as he cruised with his top down and an 8-track tape of the Beach Boys set the mood for a Saturday afternoon ride. When he drove down the road, he got lots of honks, waves and nods from ‘Vette enthusiasts and curious wannabes. Final analysis? It was worth every penny, every drop of sweat and every frustration.
Now, if a car is worth all that . . ., how much more is a brother or sister worth?
Whenever something is restored, it is made it like new again. It is returned it to its original condition and purpose. Of course it is different. Just as valuable, maybe more so, than before.
The New Testament teaches in Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch of yourself, lest you too be tempted."that’s what family is for. Not only do we correct the erring brother (or sister), we also give them a place at the table once again. Too often we never trust them again or treat them the same.
It is easy to look away when we see something going array. It’s easier still to talk about them behind their back, and treat them like aliens from another planet or just be plain rude. However, we cannot be obedient and do these things.
After we have removed the log from our own eye so that we my see clearly, then we should go to that person, one-on-one and seek to restore them. This must be done with all humility and with gentleness. Sometimes, it helps to share from the depths of your experience, perhaps when you were in error once and how someone help you get out.
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