God's Glory Church

“And to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” — Luke 6:27

The handshake spoke for itself. On a March evening in 1963, two basketball players – one black, the other white – defied racial hatred and shook hands. For the first time in Mississippi State history, an all-white men’s team played against a mixed team. In order to participate in a “game changer” with Loyola University Chicago, the Mississippi State team defied a court order barring them from leaving the state. And Loyola’s black players were insulted throughout the season, pelted with popcorn and ice, and more than once faced with closed doors on road trips.

And still young people played. Chicago beat Mississippi 61-51 to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship. But, in the end, love won over hate that night. The Lord Jesus taught: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27).

Bible teaching changes hearts and lives. To love our enemies, as Christ taught, we must submit to His radical precepts and be transformed inwardly. As the apostle Paul wrote: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away, but the new has become” (2 Cor. 5:17). But how does this new overcome the old? With love! Having put on it, we will be able to see our Lord in each other.

What makes you see enemies in other people? What can you do to counter hatred with Christ’s love?

Loving God, help me to see people not as enemies, but as those who are valuable to You, and to love them with the love of Christ.

Author: Patricia Raybon