Breaking Down the Walls

“Enemy Mine”

Matthew 5:43-48

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence. One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox.

"I'm looking for a few days work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help you with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor; in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you." The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, but I have many more bridges to build.

Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

In cartoons and westerns the “bad guy” is easy to identify. He wears a black hat, has a long mustache that curls up at the ends and has a sinister laugh.

In the war our country is currently waging against terrorism the focal enemy is very well defined and we know their names: Osama Ben Laden, Saddam Hussain and Kim Jong Il.

We know how to identify these enemies. But they are far away or simply not real. Chances are that Saddam Hussain will not be spotted in the Rio Grande City Wal-Mart and I would bet that Osama Ben laden did not attend the Youth Fair a few weeks ago.

They are our enemies, yes. But are they the greatest threat to your life?

What about the enemies in your REAL LIFE? They might not seem quite so devious or be quite as obvious; but you know they are there and, chances are, who they are.

Picture one right now. In your minds eye see their face. Now their entire body. Remember the reason you believe they are your enemy.

• Did they talk bad about you?
• Did they harm you…or your family
• Maybe they stole from you
• They have hurt you deeply. Physically, mentally and/or spiritually

Now that you have that bitter and angry thought burning in your mind take this challenge:

LOVE THEM

Not an easy assignment is it? Yet Jesus commands us in our text to ‘turn hate upside down” and love your enemies and pray for those who seek to harm you.

So often we want to hold a painful grudge against someone or to try to exact some sort of revenge against them. Maybe we:

• Talk bad about them behind their backs
• Look for ways to cause them harm – or at least discomfort
• Keep the anger we have against them stored in the dark rooms of our mind, coiled up like a cobra waiting for “targets of opportunity” to strike fast and hard.
• Perhaps we even take physical action against them.

You are not alone. We all have these thoughts and prejudices in our capabilities.

Remember this scripture the next time you are harboring Ill Thoughts and anger against someone or plotting ways to “get even”

Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 and 45 “40 And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' 45 And he will answer, 'I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.”

How can you love someone who hates you?

1. Recognize and admit that all people are created in God’s image. God values that person.
2. Try to understand why that person is an enemy.
1. Maybe they are just plain mean
2. Maybe they are simply lost and scared and need to meet Jesus Christ so they can have peace in their life.
3. Could it be that YOU have done something to cause them hurt?
4. Find out what is dividing you and, if it is in your power, remove it! Romans 12:18 “Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.”
3. Look for common ground
1. Many times were argue and fight and never see one of two things

i. We are saying the same thing in different ways and do not want to see the same truth the way someone else describes it

ii. We are to proud to admit that their way/idea is better than ours

2. Look for something you can agree on, even if it is just your favorite pizza toppings or laundry detergent.
3. Consider staying away from the situations that cause friction between you.
1. If you only argue over football games do not watch games or talk sports with them
4. Consider staying away from them
1. It is easier to love some people from afar
2. Some times their will simply be no way for you to get along with some people
3. Love from afar is better than sinning close up
5. Pray for this person
1. Realize that God is love and without Him love is not possible
2. Remember the love God has for you,

i. He sent His only Son for you

ii. He loves you without limits

iii. His love is eternal

3. Remember that only through the Love of God can we look past the problems and hurt and see into the heart of the issue – the real person and not the issues that stand between you.
4. God’s love can “break down the walls that divide” and build bridges across our inability to love.

Which would you rather build:

WALLS or BRIDGES

1. Examine your heart and life to see if there is any hate in you
2. Make a list of people you might call enemies.
3. Pray specifically for each person on that list
4. Ask God for an extra helping of love for those you are harboring something against
5. Keep alert to show opportunities to show love for all people, even those you may consider your enemy

“Where there is no love, pour love in, and you will draw out love.”