Strong, Spiritual Castor Oil
Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, not just their principles, and to pray for those who persecute us.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the challenging command of Jesus to love our enemies, likening it to the bitter yet healing nature of castor oil. He explains that Jesus was not contradicting the law but rather restoring its true spirit, which calls for love and compassion even towards those we may despise. Wilkerson acknowledges the difficulty of loving those whose actions we abhor, such as sinners and those who oppose Christ, but insists that we must separate the person from their sin and pray for them. He reflects on his own anger towards those who openly reject God, reminding us that true representation of Christ requires love and prayer for all, regardless of their actions. Ultimately, he urges believers to embrace this command and act upon it.
Text
God's command to love our enemies can seem like bitter, distasteful medicine. But, like the castor oil I had to swallow in my youth, it is medicine that heals.
Jesus states very clearly: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, 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 5:43-44).
Was Jesus contradicting the law here? Not at all. He was reversing the spirit of flesh that had entered the law. At that time, Jews loved only other Jews. A Jew wasn't to shake hands with a Gentile, or even allow his robe to swish against an outsider's clothing. Yet, this wasn't the spirit of the law. The law was holy, instructing, "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee" (Proverbs 25:21-22).
We can hate the immoral actions of those in government. We can hate the sins of homosexuals, abortionists and all Christ despisers. But the Lord commands us to love them as people--people for whom Jesus died. And he commands us to pray for them. If at any time I despise a person rather than the principle behind that person, I'm not truly representing Christ.
I have witnessed a homosexual parade on Fifth Avenue here in New York City. Two hundred fifty thousand gays, many half nude, some with signs proclaiming "God is Gay." I saw them break rank and jump on Christians carrying signs, "God HATES Your Sin--But He Loves You."
I blushed with hot anger. I felt like calling Sodom-like fire upon them. But on reflection, I said to my heart, "I am like the disciples who wanted to call down fire and consume those who rejected Jesus."
I say--Homosexuality is sin! So is adultery! So is bitterness and unforgiveness.
Love your enemies! Love those "in your face" militant sinners? Pray for them? Bless them that curse you?
That is exactly what Jesus said!
So do it!
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to the concept of loving our enemies
- A. The command to love our enemies can seem bitter and distasteful
- B. Jesus' teaching on loving our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44)
- II. The spirit of the law vs. the flesh
- A. The law was holy and instructive, but the flesh had entered it
- B. Jesus reversed the spirit of flesh that had entered the law
- III. Loving our enemies in practice
- A. We can hate the immoral actions of others, but love them as people
- B. We are to pray for those who persecute us
- IV. A personal reflection on loving our enemies
- A. The speaker's experience witnessing a homosexual parade
- B. The importance of loving our enemies, even when they are 'in your face' militant sinners
Key Quotes
“Love your enemies! Love those 'in your face' militant sinners? Pray for them? Bless them that curse you?” — David Wilkerson
“If at any time I despise a person rather than the principle behind that person, I'm not truly representing Christ.” — David Wilkerson
“Homosexuality is sin! So is adultery! So is bitterness and unforgiveness.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must love our enemies, not just their principles, and pray for those who persecute us.
- We can hate the immoral actions of others, but love them as people for whom Jesus died.
- Representing Christ means loving our enemies and following His teachings, even when it's difficult.