To Love with a Pure Heart
Dear MBC Church Family,
“Stand back, and stand by.” That was the call of the President of the United States to the Proud Boys to get ready for action. That action took place last week as the Proud Boys, a far-right white nationalist group, came to the nation’s capital intent on triggering violence in the streets. They succeeded in their efforts, including stabbings, vandalism against churches, and burning two historic churches’ Black Lives Matter banner and sign, posting videos of their actions online. Their violent rhetoric and actions were an attack on the church and the community at large, all under the pretense of protesting the results of the presidential election. But what if God is telling us to love the ones who commit such acts, can we do it? The answer is He is, and yes, we can.
Setting the example on the cross, Jesus, in one of His last acts of love, promised one of the two criminals hanging next to Him that “today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:34). And addressing the soldiers at the foot of the cross who led Him to His death, and addressing humanity at large for whom He was about to die, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:43). The writer of the Letter to the Romans said that, despite the fact that we were enemies of God, “God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him” (Romans 5:8 - TMSG).
Being a true follower of Jesus Christ means that we, too, must put our love on the line and love our enemies. It means that our expressions of love cannot be simply laced with rhetorical flourishes, rich in meaning about loving one another, while lacking in genuine feelings of love toward those who would harm us. But our love must be an outward display of God’s love flowing through us towards our enemies without a hint of ill will. Love is why Jesus died on the cross. Love is why He came to be born in a manger. And as we celebrate the season of Christmas, let’s heed this call of our Savior who tells us, not to stand by, but out of a pure heart to actively “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 5:43). Only then can we let the power of love melt the cold hearts of our enemies and point them to the never-ending love of an incomparable Savior, born to set us free from the bondage of sin.
Let’s continue to invite our family and friends to join us remotely for service by Skype: https://join.skype.com/P8TRBZjej8aU or by conference call: (339) 209-5068.
Sunday morning Worship Service (11:30am)
Monday through Saturday Noontime Prayer (12:00pm-1:00pm)
Anyone who chooses to make a contribution to the church may use the link on the church’s website, www.MeadowsBaptistChurch.org, to process a credit/debit card donation. Contributions may also be mailed to the church at PO Box 488, Upper Marlboro, MD 20773 or dropped off at the church office.
Feel free to stop by the church for special prayer during the noontime hour, or stop by anytime to meditate and pray outside the church in the Prayer Garden.
God bless and keep you and your family.
Dennis V. Jefferson, Pastor
Meadows Baptist Church
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