Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 (New Living Translation)

¹⁴ Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. ¹⁵ Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.

Do you have any enemies?

Of course that is a loaded question. It is also a subjective one.  Google defines enemy as: a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.

I know people who are opposed to some of the things I do. Who doesn’t know such people? Do you consider them enemies? The word enemy carries a negative connotation with most of us.

Hence, we return to the first question above, “Do you have any enemies?”

The writer to the Thessalonians instructs against thinking of persons as enemies. Instead, think of them as family members we should warn. “Don’t buy a computer from so-and-so, they deal in stolen property.” That is a warning to a loved one.

Considering those who oppose me as loved ones is, uh, how do I write this? Difficult. Actually, it is something that I just don’t want to do.

God, please help me.