Loving “Them”

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:44

Enmity between people is as almost as old as humankind itself and our time in history is no different. Some individuals and communities, including Christians, are wondering how to reconcile negative feelings toward those who do not believe as they do, who live in a manner with which they disagree, and those who are hostile toward them personally, socially, doctrinally, and politically.I recently read a post by Pastor Jason Holdridge, who points to how Jesus handled one situation. “The one story that keeps coming to mind is the story of how Jesus healed the Roman Centurion's son during the same period in which His very people--the Jews--were living under the oppression of Roman tyranny (persecution and execution). What kind of love does that? How can Christians hold onto their conviction (faith) without letting go of their compassion (love)? This was the genius of Jesus. He went so far as to call His followers to love their enemies. How then can anyone be disqualified from our scope of love?”In Philippians 2:3-5, Paul calls for unity within the church. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant...” This is how we are called to love others, even "them" - generously, genuinely, respectfully, freely. Christ calls us to apply his example to not only our families, friends, and those who believe and live like us, but also to those who live on the fringes of our comfort zone or wholly outside our own camp.At eduKenya, we serve children, families, and community members irrespective of their religious, political, or social beliefs. We believe each person is made in the image of God and we see the face of Jesus in every individual we have the privilege to serve. We believe the global church (made up of individual believers) is the primary agent for bringing love, peace, and reconciliation to a broken world, and we are motivated by the unconditional love of Jesus to love and serve through word and deed. It is not always an easy task, and sometimes we stumble, but in and through the Spirit of Christ we prevail. Love God. Pray hard. Love others.Kathie FriedelU.S. Communications Coordinator