Founded by Bryant Wright, Right from the Heart is a
daily injection of truth, reminding you about what
matters most in life. Basically, we cut the fluff and
get right to the point.
We Are Called To Love Our Enemies Jul 03 2012
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him." - Luke 10:33
It was once explained to me that the reason we are commanded to love our neighbors and to love our enemies is that they are often the same people. We can see how this bit of philosophy was developed if we closely examine the story of the Good Samaritan.
Notice that the Samaritan was from an ethnic group that the Jews positively despised. And, while the assaulted man was repeatedly ignored by his own people, the hated Samaritan willingly gave aid to the injured Jewish man. Now, if Jesus were telling the story in Israel today, He might change "Samaritan" to "Arab Muslim." Or, if He were speaking to Palestinians, He might say it was an "Israeli soldier" that helped. If He were speaking to liberal Democrats, He might change "Samaritan" to "conservative white Republican." If He were speaking to conservative Republicans, He might change "Samaritan" to a "liberal black Democrat." Whomever Jesus would be speaking to, He would replace "Samaritan" with that group's current enemy. That's how Jesus expects us to define the term neighbor.
One reason Christianity is so unique is that we are called to love our enemies. We're called to be fair with them and compassionate toward them and to demonstrate love - even if they hate us. God's Word is clear: You can't claim to love God and not love your neighbor. Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan so we would be clear who our neighbor is and go and do likewise.
1-MinuteDaily Devotions
You are reading a Daily Devotion from Right From The Heart. We invite you to share it, leave a comment, and subscribe to the daily email or RSS feed.
Subscribe to the Daily Devotion
We send out the devotion terribly early every morning. Enter your email address to get on the list.
Recent Devotions
| Mon, Jun 17 | Done In The Name Of Religion (10) |
| Sun, Jun 16 | Being A Father Is A Big Deal (2) |
| Sat, Jun 15 | The Gavel May Fall On You (2) |
| Fri, Jun 14 | Meeting Life's Challenges (5) |
| Thu, Jun 13 | I Listen |
| Wed, Jun 12 | Why Can't We Just Love Each Other? (13) |
| Tue, Jun 11 | What's Most Important To You? (5) |
13 Comments
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindBryant,
Yikes! I am a conservative Republican but do not consider a liberal black Democrat to be my enemy. Not at all.
I love your daily devotionals but felt the need to comment on this.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindYou know my ex In-Laws live right over there--I can see their House. My Ex Next Door Neighbor called yesterday and I spent all night with her last night(no that did not happen--It was a Joy. So good to see her again--Her Older Brother is a Southerm Baptist Minister)...And of course being of a Certain Species she will deny she ever Called.
Would you guys please pick up Some Slack so the remainder of us don't have to try to do It All?
You Arab and Persian Brothers? With all that Oil Money? There should not be One Child perishing in Your Lands from Starvation. You know Better than that...why are we constantly trying to Play Good Samaritan to Save those Young Ones?
And you Jewish Folk? Why don't you just Get Over It--For God's Sake just Get Over It...
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindYou know my ex In-Laws live right over there--I can see their House. My Ex Next Door Neighbor called yesterday and I spent all night with her last night(no that did not happen--It was a Joy. So good to see her again--Her Older Brother is a Southerm Baptist Minister)...And of course being of a Certain Species she will deny she ever Called.
Would you guys please pick up Some Slack so the remainder of us don't have to try to do It All?
You Arab and Persian Brothers? With all that Oil Money? There should not be One Child perishing in Your Lands from Starvation. You know Better than that...why are we constantly trying to Play Good Samaritan to Save those Young Ones?
And you Jewish Folk? Why don't you just Get Over It--For God's Sake just Get Over It...
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindI agree, Cathy. That black and white issue has nothing to do with it. That's propagating a myth. Liberal leaders suggest that conservatives are racist because we don't agree with the policies of our president, who happens to be black. Conservatives can disagree with liberal policies and not be racists, just like Christians can disagree with liberals on social issues and not be intolerant. And, as the devotion says, we should still love liberals (white and black), even if we disagree.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindI do feel the need to speak just for a second on this one. I do not hate liberial Democrats, it is not my place to correct Bro Bryant on his choice of color of skin. Personally I am fed up with Republicans, Democrats and Independents. It appears that neither side is thinking about the American people, just their party and their re-elections. The scripture is simply saying that we should care for and love our neighbors, whatever race they are and wherever they are from. It also states that if we see our brother in need, that we are to help them. It didn't say we need to wait on them to ask, we see it, we need to help.
Gunk, you are wrong in your statement that the Hebrew people need to "get over it." What they are standing on is a covenant from God, and they are just fighting for what is rightfully theirs. If I give you a piece of land and then several years from now, someone comes along and say I want that land, wouldn't you fight back? If you didn't then you wouldn't be much of a man. Read and study (if you haven't yet) and you will see what I am saying.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindThey took down another of my Posts Jerry...Making them work today.
I am not Wrong--But if you want me to be Wrong? I will be wrong. Nobody helped me more in Business than the Jews. They called me Boychick...I was Escorted to every Deli in NYC and Miami than you could Imagine. Great People--the Jews were very good to me.
The Earth is the Lord's...
Sorry about the Double-Post...I was not trying to say it Twice. I have Family Members who are Black/White/Jewish and all the Rest. I have Family Members who are Black. Very Black and I am as White as White on Rice.
The only Thing that Belongs to Humans is what God has Given Them.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindGunk, This is a devotional site; not Facebook. Sometimes you seem to get confused about that. Your spiritual comments are often very good, but you go overboard with your personal life pretty often. Don't want to hurt your feelings, but.....
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindI understand what you are saying Skip...But? That Gal was my Enemy at one Point. The Ex In-Laws were my Enemies at one Point. Maybe they still are but not in my heart.
I hate Facebook but will keep the Comments a little more toned down...All I have in life is the Life I have lived...Just trying to put it in Context.
It isn't about me...But all I have are real-life experiences which brings real Color to Mind.
Time for another Walkabout...I apologize if I offended you in any Way.
You should see those two Black Family Members of mine...I wish I had the money to put them through College.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindI understood the analogy was made just with the purpose of underscoring deep ideological divide. However, the hatred is there within certain groups egged on by many in liberal circles.
I think this is a great devotion which addresses what I believe to be one of the most difficult callings of our faith.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindBaby is is Scattered, Smothered and Covered by our Sin. It is our Sin--Our Sins not the sins of Others.
You are so Articulate and Intelligent...But see? Bryant and the Ministry takes the Heat. But? They know how to love their Enemies and there is the Deal Right There.
Blessed are the Peacemakers...Wish I could be One Again.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindGunk, sometimes it tickles me just trying to keep up to speed on what you are saying. I get confused but all in all it is an adventure. I guess I must have misunderstood what you were trying to say this time, but I believe my explanation showed you what I was trying to say
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindTo retuyrn to the original point brought up in the devotion...
Does "love your enemy" also include do not resist your enemy? Specifically, does Jesus call for us to willingly accept theft, injury, or death, since striking back to prevent it would be "unloving?"
There are Christians who believe this; I generally don't. But I'm curious about what those here say.
If you think this comment should be removed because it is mean spirited, compromises someone's privacy, or is SPAM, then let us know.
Yes, report it NevermindWell Jesus told Peter to put away His Sword? And Jesus told the guys to keep a few around.
There are Billions of People in this World who don't have Swords--or Food.
Sometimes I think that lack of Money is the Greatest Sin in Man's World.
I thought your Post was good Jerry...The guy got the Daylights beaten out of Him and the Religious Leaders passed him by and God sent him a Friend who saved his Life--Total Stranger.
The guy who saved his life was Despised by the Religious Leaders...The guy Beaten all to almost Death was despised by the Religious Leaders.
Now I am all Helped Out--They have Beaten me to Death through Divorces and Custody Actions and Theft and Murder and just down right Mean.
Does that mean I want them to Go to Hell? No...I just hope we all get to be with the Lord Together some day...
Knowing me I will probably lose that too--Paul said we could become Castaways--Bryant has said many times we are all Great Examples of what one should and should not be.
I'm glad just to have some Air to Breathe Today--I'm going to trust the Lord to send me a Good Samaritan--Lord knows I have been one to Many.