“I suppose in my lifetime and yours we have not had as many aggressive enemies as we do today, at all levels. The kingdom of darkness has become more hostile than ever—hostile to the light, hostile to the gospel, hostile to Christ, hostile to the church, hostile to the truth.”
John MacArthur
We Have More Enemies Than Ever
Growing up in America over the past 50+ years, my “enemies” have rarely been particularly dangerous.
It’s not that violently dangerous men or women haven’t lived in my lifetime. Our packed prison system speaks to that. But in my personal life, I’ve been fortunate not to have faced too many of them.
The direction our country is now taking, though, demonstrates a shift—a dark shift.
Enemies are being created in more areas of America than ever before in my lifetime. People and organizations in power are determined to vilify and demonize everyone and anyone who doesn’t support their every thought.
How do we navigate the hate and anger? How do we not allow ourselves to fall into rude or cruel behavior ourselves? In his powerful sermon, Loving Your Enemies as God Does, Pastor John MacArthur helps us navigate this disheartening culture shift with Christ-like love.
But I Say to You, Love Your Enemies
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
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.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
— Matthew 5:43-48 NASB’95
View Persecution Properly
Raise your hand if you’re excited about being persecuted?
I didn’t raise my hand. You didn’t either, did you?
And yet, God tells us we’re blessed if we’re persecuted.
How can that be?
In this sermon, John MacArthur explains how God flips our understanding of persecution around. He does this so brilliantly I’m actually beginning to warm up to the idea of facing persecution—and I’m a full-fledged wimp.
He doesn’t suggest we look for trouble, but I see now how we truly don’t need to fear it.
If you see persecution doing damage to you, you will change your message. If you see persecution adding to your eternal reward, you don’t change anything, right?
John MacArthur
