Edmond First in the News

Loving Our Enemies

“I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 (KJV)

“When my mother and I fell victim to a phone scam, I not only felt ashamed, embarrassed, and stupid - I also felt angry. My first impulse was to wish harm upon the people who had deceived us.

I immediately called my sisters to tell them what had happened, expecting them to be angry. But the first thing my youngest sister said to me were words Jesus taught us. She told me to pray for the people who had hurt us! She told me not to hate them or let my anger overwhelm me.

One of the most challenging lessons Jesus taught us is to love our enemies. Our human instinct is to strike out at those who hurt us. But Jesus calls us to a higher standard. Instead of filling ourselves with hate and anger toward those who harm us, we are to pray for them. Jesus did this even as he hung on the cross.

It wasn’t easy, but I listened to my sister. Indeed, my anger dissipated. My embarrassment still lingers, but I have let go of my anger. Today I hope those people will be blessed and come to know Jesus and a better way of life.”

-Steven R. Schlesselman

“The Upper Room: Where the World Meets to Pray”, November-December 2023