Rick Lee James plays a demo of a hymn asking God to help believers love their enemies. He frames it as theology: enemies are enslaved by sin, not true adversaries, and Christ showed us the way. The song repeats prayers for mercy and a kingdom where love replaces violence.
Chapters
I apologize for any roofing noise you may hear in the background, but here is a new hymn I am working on, and I'd appreciate your input. It's called "Love Your Enemies." There's a couple lines I'm still trying to work out, but I think the tune is pretty solid, and the idea of the song about finding a way for our congregation to sing and learn how to love our enemies. So this is hopefully a theology in practice.
So, um, God has made this declaration through his Son, the Prince of Peace, that to enter in his kingdom, we must love our enemies. They may seem our adversaries, but are only slaves to sin. So our battle is not with them who are Satan's hostages.
Lord and Maker of creation, every life is dear to thee. By the holy name In the name of Jesus, help us love our enemies.
Lord, deliver us from hatred, prejudice, and cruelty. Come remove discrimination, that the truth may set us free. When we look at our reflection, we know We do not only see ourselves, but we see a former captive whom the grace of God has helped.
Lord and Maker of creation, every life is dear to thee. By the holy name of Jesus, help us love our enemies.
Father, show us how to free them with your mercy from above. For our enemies are brothers who've forgotten how to love. You have made us in your image. You've redeemed us through your Son.
Gather us into your kingdom.
Where no sword is drawn but love.
Lord and Maker of creation, every life is dear to thee. By the holy name of Jesus, help us love our enemies.
Jesus Christ is our example, showing us the the face of God when he chose to die for sinners rather than to shed their blood. So we'll fight them with affection, we will conquer them with grace. May our enemies see Jesus when they look upon our face.
Lord and Maker of all things, of creation, every life is dear to thee. By the holy name of Jesus, help us love our enemies.
In his time and for his pleasure, pray we all will stand one day reconciled before our Father when the old has passed away. When revenge would cloud our vision, turn our eyes to Calvary where our Savior died to show us how to love. Our enemies.
