"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

-Luke 6:27, 28

Today, when harm or loss of life occurs because of alleged wrongdoing, there is an immediate outcry and demand for justice. I am reminded of what took place in the last century when American missionaries were slain at the hands of the Auca Indians in Ecuador. The father of one of the missionaries, T.E. McCully, prayed, "Lord, let me live long enough to see those fellows saved who killed our boys that I may throw my arms around them and tell them I love them because they love my Christ." McCully's prayer was answered. Perhaps he was inspired by the words of Jesus as He was being put to death on the cross, "Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." This attitude should not be hard for us to grasp for after all, "while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…" Our God, full of mercy and grace, desires to save His enemies, your enemies and my enemies. Be encouraged!

References: Luke 6:27, 28; Luke 23:34; Romans 5:10