"Get Along"

Why can’t we all just get along,

Good question, don’t you think,

The hatred and the vitriol,

Has made our nation sink,

To contention in the public sphere,

Its bitterness will rage,

And I just hope in spite of this,

We’ll somehow turn the page.

And learn to make opinions known,

In a civil, kinder way,

And though we sometimes disagree,

The words we choose to say,

Will be respectful toward the one,

Who disagrees with us,

We’ll show love for our neighbor,

And refuse to fuss.

Take your stand with clarity,

But speak the truth in love,

Treat others as you want to be,

God watches from above.

And if we love our enemies,

He says we get it right,

Show mercy and forgiveness,

To those who want to fight.

The blessing of the Lord our God,

Resists arrogance and pride,

Graces strong the humble,

And His power He’ll provide.

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:46, NAS)

Jesus spoke of a love that transcended human disagreements and division. In fact He specifically spoke of loving people the way God loves us, disregarding how they treat us. But what if they hate or mistreat us? Love them, according to Jesus. What if they make themselves our enemies, curse us and use us? Love even your enemies, says Jesus. And of course He knew when He said it that it that this kind of love was impossible apart from a spiritual, supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit. When we are Spirit-filled it becomes possible to love everyone. But only then can it come true. We are commanded to love and so we must claim the power and willingness to do so.

Lord, love our enemies through us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bruce Greene, used by permission. Thanks, Bruce, and God bless you.