By Dennis RossJesus taught, “…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 5:44)
Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;…” (1 Timothy 2:1) (This certainly would include our enemies.)
Why should we pray for our enemies? “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:45) Only the “children” will inherit. (Cf. Romans 8:17) Is that not every Christian’s goal? Being God’s child is worth far more than causing harm to our enemies. Yet, some Christians seemingly cannot love or pray for their enemies; nor do they consider that if they persist in their ungodly attitudes, they will spend eternity with the very people for whom they cannot pray or feel love. What a sobering thought that is.
First, let each of us ask, “Who is my enemy?” The following is taken from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words:
“Enemy – … an adjective, primarily denoting ‘hated’ or ‘hateful’ (akin to echthos, ‘hate;’ perhaps associated with ektos, ‘outside’). Hence, in the active sense, denotes ‘hating, hostile;’ it is used as a noun, signifying an ‘enemy,’ adversary, and is said …
a.  Of men who are opposed to Christ (Philippians 3:18);
b.  Of Israel’s alienation from God (Romans 11:28);
c.   Of the unregenerate in their attitude toward God (Romans 5:10);
d.  Of believers in their former state (2 Thessalonians 3:15); (Note: I believe this passage refers to those who are presently in a fallen state. dr)
e.  Of foes (Matthew 5:43-44).”
Who then are our enemies? Perhaps they are those who are in the world, lost in sin. Or maybe it is a brother or sister in Christ from whom the church has withdrawn fellowship. Could it be someone whom you resent, or who has something against you, a person against whom you have a grudge? Regardless who your enemy is, for what do you pray? That you might not have to see them face-to-face? Or talk with them?  That you might not find yourself in a situation where you are forced to “deal” with them?  Or do you pray for them at all?
Jesus taught, “…Do Good to them…” (Matthew 5:44) This truth is also found in the following Scriptures:
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.’ Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:18-21)
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”(Galatians 6:10)
If we are to “do good,” shouldn’t we pray for our enemies? For what then should we pray? Could we not pray for opportunities to do good? For opportunities to use edifying words? Ultimately, what greater good could we exercise than by preaching the Gospel? It is written:
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”(Colossians 4:5-6)
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)
If indeed you do pray for your enemies, how will your prayers be answered? Consider the farmer who prays for a good crop that will help to support his family. Would his prayer be answered if he did nothing more than sit on the porch and watch his field to see what it would produce? He’d have nothing but a crop of weeds to harvest? So then, if you pray for your enemies, should you be doing something to ensure that your prayers are answered? (Of course, the prayers of those who prayed that they might not have to “deal” with their enemies would be answered by their own actions toward them!) God expects His children to act with regard to the prayers they offer up to Him. Consider these passages: “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22)
“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)
Jesus taught:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20-21)
If you remember these passages, how do you put them into action? What do you do for your enemies? Or, do you act against them? Is that what God’s child should do? (Remember Matthew 5:45) God’s child should be above mean, worldly things. He is to furnish “light” and “salt” to a world in darkness and without love; he is to be a Christian. A Christian not only prays for his enemies, but he also does something to cause them to turn from their enmity toward God. He seeks to do good unto all.
Jesus demands of us things that are not easy; but then, carrying the cross wasn’t easy. Our burdens may be difficult, but Jesus shares them with us. He lived among His enemies. He preached the truth. He went about doing good. And He is our example.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteous …” (1 Peter 2:21-23)
“Love your enemies, bless them … do good to them …, and pray for them!” (Matthew 5:44)
In His word, Jesus gives us many commands to follow. Probably none of them are more difficult than the one discussed in this article—love your enemies. Why do we have to love someone who seeks ill and has been unkind toward us? In a word—LOVE. It is easy to love one who loves you, who seeks to be your friend and always does what he can to bring you happiness. The opposite is more difficult, but it is far more important. Loving our enemies is one of the greatest and strongest lessons we can teach those who are outside of Christ. When we should be seeking ways to get even, we seek ways to help them. Instead of hating them, we love their souls. How difficult do you suppose it was for Jesus to ask His Father to forgive those who were causing His death on the cross? (Luke 23:34) But that is exactly what He did! Why? He loved them, even though they did not love Him. Love and pray for your enemies, and you will help them and yourself. (KMG)

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ACCOUNTABILITY (by R.J. Evans)
There are a number of passages in the Bible that teach accountability to each other as God’s children. Long ago, Cain asked God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9) And the answer is, yes, in many respects we are. For instance, when a brother or sister in Christ falls back into sin, the Scripture teaches, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:1-2). Here are a few more examples: “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Prov. 27:17). “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (Jas. 5:16).
Elders have been given the responsibility to “watch out for your souls, as those who must give account” (Heb. 13:17). The congregation has been given the responsibility to “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive” (Heb. 13:17). Thus, each member of a local congregation has a certain amount of accountability toward the elders in their walk with God as Christians. The elders have the right to help solve or correct any problem that might exist among those for whom they “must give account” before God. If the members refuse to respond or cooperate with the elder’s efforts to assist them, they are hurting themselves.
In considering one’s accountability to the elders, it must be realized that elders have the right to ask questions. In giving consideration to the matter of accountability, here are some questions the elders might want to ask:
What have you learned this week from God’s Word? What happened this week that put you to the test? How did you respond? How are you doing in your relationship with God? (Specifically-your time with the Word, prayer, attendance at all the services of the church, your sense of dependence on the Lord, etc.) How are you doing in your relationship with your brothers and sisters in Christ? How are you doing in your relationship with your wife/husband? How are you doing in your relationship with your children? How are you doing in your relationships with people at work or school? How can we pray specifically for you this week? How can others pray specifically for you this week? Is there anything else we can do to assist you? What can we do to help you become more consistent in your attendance at worship and Bible classes? What are the biggest barriers in your relationship with God? What are the most serious temptations you face at home? At work? Elsewhere? How can your brothers and sisters help you and pray for you?
Elders must be willing to reach out to the flock; the flock must be willing to respond to the leadership of the shepherds. (1 Thes. 5:12-13) It is a “two-way street”. When someone tends to draw back, that might very well be the time when they need the elders the most. Thus, elders must reach out even when, (or, especially when) they sense someone is drawing back. We are to be like those of whom the Hebrew writer referred in Hebrews 10:39: “But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”
In a sense, may we all reach out to one another. To experience true accountability, we have both the right and the responsibility to do what we can for each other that, ultimately, we might all reach our home in Heaven. Let’s do all we can to help one another in our walk with God.

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IT HAS BEEN ATTESTED (PROVEN) BY MIRACLES, SIGNS, & WONDERS
“For this reason [Jesus healed man at Pool of Bethesda -verses 1-15] the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.’ Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life’” (John 5:16-24 NKJV).
“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31 NKJV).
IT HAS BEEN ATTESTED (PROVEN) BY GOD THE FATHER: THE TRANSFIGURATION
“Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’ — not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!’” (Luke 9:28-35 NKJV)
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV).
(Mike Hurst)

THE SPONSORING CHURCH — A DENOMINATIONAL CONCEPT (Donald Townsley)
We have seen a major departure from the faith in the last thirty years because of a failure by the majority of brethren to understand the church of the New Testament. Misconceptions have brought about departure after departure from the truth. Many people who are now disillusioned with things that are happening in liberal churches will never be able to make proper correction of their mistakes until they understand what the New Testament teaches about the church and congregational cooperation. The local congregation (Acts 14: 23) and the individual Christian (I Tim. 5:16; Acts 11:26) are the only two functioning units that Christ has authorized. The church universal is made up of the sum total of the saved. The unit which makes up the church universal is the individual Christian, not local churches. We read about a brotherhood of saints (I Pet. 5:2; Acts 20:28). The work of elders in the New Testament is assigned, not assumed! The work of “sponsoring church” elders is assumed ! There is no New Testament authority for assumed work, therefore in the creation of the “sponsoring church” you have a functioning unit unknown to the New Testament !
No congregation in the New Testament days did its work through another congregation. Antioch made up her own contribution and sent it directly to the elders of the churches which were in need in Judea ( Acts 11: 27 – 30). Here we have a church with abundance sending to churches in need that they might do their own assigned work, not a “brotherhood work”. The church at Corinth made up her own funds by the giving of her members and sent it directly to Jerusalem by the messenger of her own selection ( I Cor. 16:1- 3). The Jerusalem church was in need (Rom. 15: 25 – 27), and this contribution was to help her do her own work, not some “brotherhood” work.
The churches of Macedonia sent wages directly to Paul as he preached the gospel in Corinth ( 2 Cor. 11:7 – 9). Each church supported him directly; they did not do their work through a “sponsoring church”. Paul did not have a “sponsoring church” which gathered funds for him from all over the brotherhood. He taught that churches were to have direct fellowship (Phil. 1: 5) with the preacher whom they supported. The church at Philippi was one of the Macedonian churches which acted independently in sending support to Paul. They sent it to him by Epaphroditus, their messenger ( Phil. 4: 14 – 18). No church in New Testament times ever sent money to another church to preach the gospel; they always sent directly to the preacher.
Somebody will probably ask what difference it makes — well, the difference is that one is found in the New Testament and the other is not ! That makes a big difference if you are going to work by the authority of the New Testament ( 2 John 9)!
One can read nothing in the New Testament about a “sponsoring church” as the liberal brethren talk about it. This is language that is foreign to the New Testament, and the idea is denominational in concept. Brethren, let us all speak as the oracles of God (I Pet. 4: 11); let us do the Lord’s work in the way He has authorized in the New Testament, not in ways that might seem to be best to us. We are to please God, not ourselves ! (From “The Hebron Herald” February 1991)

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