pastorshane

Monday, October 8, 2012

Learning from History

My favorite illustration about loving an enemy is this one.

Abraham Lincoln was held in contempt by a man named Mr. Stanton. He called Lincoln, "A low, cunning clown," and he nicknamed him 'the original gorilla.'

He said that men were foolish to wander around Africa trying to capture a gorilla when they could find one in Springfield, Illinois.

Lincoln never said anything to Stanton, and because Stanton was the best man for the job, when Lincoln needed a war minister for the United States, he chose Mr. Stanton.
He appointed him over all of the soldiers of the United States. He treated him with love and courtesy and the years passed.

The night an assassin's bullet tore out Lincoln's life, in a little room to which the President's body was taken, there stood that same Mr. Stanton, looking down into the silent face of Abraham Lincoln with all it's ruggedness and character.

Speaking through his tears, he said, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." Because Mr. Lincoln could love him with a forgiving love, he received and return his adoration.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in Heaven….” Matthew 5:45   

1 comment:

  1. Well said....
    Thank you.
    I'll remember this.

    ReplyDelete