Love Your Enemies

Jesus told the man versed in the Law that a Samaritan could be viewed as a neighbor.  In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus went even further when he said:"You heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' However, I say to you:  Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you; that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens." (Matthew 5:43, 45)  Even when someone opposes us, we try to "keep conquering the evil with the good." (Romans 12:19-21) If possible, we share with him our most precious possession, the truth.

In Ukraine and article in the Kremenchuk Herald newspaper spoke of Jehovah's Witnesses as a  dangerous sect. This was  serious because in Europe some speak of Jehovah's Witnesses in this way in order to persuade people that the activities of the Witnesses should be restricted or banned. Hence, the editor was approached and asked to publish a press release, correcting the article. He agreed, but with the release, he printed a statement that the original  article was based on fact.  So responsible  brothers approached him again with  more information.  Finally, the editor realized  that the original article was wrong, and he published a retraction. Dealing with him frankly and kindly was the loving way to handle this situation, and it led to a good result.

Next time: How Can We Cultivate Love?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2001