“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:20-21
Sometimes those who stand adamantly against evil and valiantly for the truth fall into error by mistreating those whom God seeks to save. They seem to forget that it was the goodness of God that led them to repentance (Rom. 2:4). Think about that as you read the following from an article in Senior Living.
There’s a traditional Hebrew story about Abraham that tells of a time when he was sitting outside his tent one evening when an old man, weary from age, came toward him. Abraham ran out to greet the man and invited him in. He gave the old man food and drink and began talking to him. “Do you worship God?” Abraham asked.
“No, I don’t,” the man replied. “I worship fire and have no reverence for any other god.”
Abraham was furious. So he grabbed the old man by the shoulders and threw him out into the cold night. After he had gone, God asked Abraham why he forced him out. “Because he didn’t worship you,” Abraham answered.
“Abraham,” God responded, “I have tolerated his ignorance for 80 years. Could you not endure him one night?”
When it comes to people who don’t revere God, it can be easy to want to have the same attitude as Abraham in the story. Yet, the Father desires for us, as His children, to welcome them and love those who are far from the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Don’t let indignation toward God’s enemies keep you from loving them. Welcome unbelievers into your life and point them to the God who loves them and wants to see them turn back to Him!
Pray and ask God to help you reach out to those around you who don’t know Him, invite them into your life, and point them to Jesus.
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
