"Enemies"

There are people who just won't like you. That's a fact! No matter what, they will treat you as an enemy. The danger involved is we become bitter, harboring resentments toward them and find ourselves just as lost as they. Many still think they are in a loving relationship with the Lord never realizing that harboring bitterness toward another forfeits the grace of God toward you (Heb. 12:15). What are we to do with those who have made themselves our enemies? "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matt. 5:44-45) Children of God do good to those who are their enemies and prays for them.

In the days of the American Revolutionary War there was a preacher that lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania named Peter Miller. Mr. Miller enjoyed the friendship of General George Washington. In that same town, there also was a fellow named Michael Wittman, an evil and hateful man who did all he could to abuse and oppose Mr. Miller.

One day Michael Wittman was arrested for treason and sentenced to death. When the old preacher heard this news, he started out on foot and walked the seventy miles to Philadelphia to plead for this man's life. Mr. Miller was admitted in George Washington's presence and he began asking to spare the life of this convicted traitor. Washington stated, "No, Peter, I cannot grant you the life of your friend." Peter Miller responded, "My FRIEND? Why, this man is the bitterest ENEMY I have." Washington, with a look of surprise said, "What? You've walked seventy miles to save the life of an ENEMY? Now that puts the matter in a different light. I will grant the pardon."

That day Michael Wittman was pardoned and Peter Miller took him from the shadow of death back to his own home in Ephrata, no longer a hateful enemy but as a dear friend.

As I read the above story, my thoughts dwell upon what Jesus did for us, all of us. While we were rebellious, living our lives for us and sin, He walked this earth and pleaded for our pardon. Upon entering Jesus, pardon was granted and we are no longer enemies but His brother, a child of God. That leads us to this, what are we going to do with our enemies?