Today in the One Year Bible, we read from 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18. Paul reminds us that we need to work if we want to eat. He tells the Thessalonians to avoid hanging out with anyone who doesn't work, but just lives "idly" and gets in everyone's business. But he says something very important in how they should treat those people.
He says, "Don't think of them as enemies, but warn them like they're your brother." And that's a take home lesson. That's how we should think of all sinners. Even if someone is your "enemy", don't think of them as the enemy. Warn them like they're your brother. Elsewhere in the NT, Paul tells us that we don't wrestle with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers. People aren't our enemies, the evil spirit of the age is. We should pray for those who seem to be our enemies - and love them. Who knows when they might end up being your friend?
God, thanks for teaching us how to treat our "enemies". Help us love them.
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