God's Contrary Love

Paul has been giving the believers a list of do’s and don’ts. This list has specifically to do with how one treats an enemy. They are not to repay evil for evil; not to take revenge; not to be hostile and a host of other things. Then he tells them what they are to do, which is quite contrary to what they have been doing all their lives.

On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Romans 12: 20. What Paul is writing to the Romans, is exactly the wisdom of Solomon in Proverbs 25: 21 - 22. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

To believers and many of us even now, these actions are not in keeping with the way they were taught, the way their ancestors acted and the way they act at present. For example, Jesus, has said this to His followers. You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies. Matthew 5: 43 - 44a. Now, if that is not contrary love, what is?

I smiled when this nursery rhyme was brought to my remembrance.

“Mary! Mary!

Quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells, and cockle shells, and pretty maids, all in a row.”

Have you ever thought of it? Mary’s garden was not like regular gardens, whether simple or exotic. Only a contrary person would have a garden with all those things, planted together in one row. God’s Love is also quite contrary in the eyes of humans, because of how God loves. For many, the actions and works of love are kept for those who are good and kind to them. Your actions of love are reserved for those who do good to you. But God’s Love is contrary, because He calls you to do good to those who are not good to you. Love is not about friendships. Love is about Love.

Love is like the rain that falls the same way, on the good and on the bad.

Love is like the sun that gives warmth and light to the grateful and the ungrateful. Love is like the cross that is mounted for the friend and the foe.

What then makes God’s Love contrary to the world’s love? Here are two basics.

Love feeds your enemy.

Love quenches the thirst of your enemy.

Who is your enemy? I went to our Jesus and this is what I confessed to Him. Jesus, I know who Your enemies were and are, for Lord, I too was an enemy, and in my enemy state, You fed and clothed me. You kept watch over me. But Lord, if You ask me who is my enemy, I will have to say that I do not know, because I have none that I can name at the moment. I then asked God to show me and tell me and this is what I heard.

You’re asking the question, “Who is my enemy?” but that’s not the question to ask. The question to ask is this. “Whom do I refuse to feed or give water to?” Many around you, including family, friends and neighbours are in need of Spiritual food and water. When you were totally lost and an enemy of The Way, the Lord Jesus saw your dying, hell-bound soul and came to your rescue. He saw you hungry, and fed you, His enemy. He saw you thirsty, and gave you drink, His enemy. He saw you naked, and clothed you, His enemy. In the Lord’s Garden of Love are many unworthy and worthy, all in a row. All who are needy, receive food and water.

Note carefully! The desperately hungry and thirsty will take what is given to them. The easiest and simplest thing to do, is to feed them poison. Poison kills and this ‘poison’ is called revenge. God’s Love in you never takes revenge. God’s love in you does not poison anyone. On the contrary, love heaps burning coals on the heads of your enemies. Your contrary actions of love can change and save a life. Just look at yourself and see this truth of Love, clearly and transparently. Why have you repented? Why are you repenting? Why will you always be repenting? It is because of the Love of God, His different and contrary Love that forever gives good to you, never evil.

There are many in need of Spiritual food. Are you feeding them? You think that you need to be legal and lawful about the Lord’s Food. No! Feed them, for in doing so you will heap burning coals that will bring someone down, so that he or she will see Love, God’s Contrary Love, and turn to God in Christ Jesus, in repentance. God is Love!