I am a Christian, therefore I knew ...

I could not acknowledge hating you.
Though how I wished that God had not
Here planted you in this His plot;
And I laid blame right at your door
For evil motive yes and more.
I failed to count the words of Paul,
That Christ alone is judge of all.
Men's motives He reserves to know --
At His return, He will them show.

The good in you was scarcely any
Few could abide your sins so many
Then one fair morn I chanced to pray
On your behalf -- that very day
I thanked God for you, my sibling 'portioned
By a wise, kind Hand which isn't shortened.
I asked Him to guide you in His love,
To give you His strength from up above.
I even pled that He might bless
And comfort you in your duress.

Lo, many times again I prayed;
There at His loving feet I laid
My despite of you which I had felt --
Soon my hardened heart began to melt;
I understood that I must pray
On your behalf each dawning day.

Still your faults I note; oh, they are many;
Yet am I a one with hardly any?
My prayers for you I find have changed
My thoughts of you -- they're rearranged.
I now can feel the love you show --
Which I could not a while ago.
Your heart no longer looks so black;
Thus, could it be you're turning back?
Or, too, perhaps that at last I see? --
As God's love for you is filling me.*

 

* For important additional insights regarding brotherly love, and a helpful analysis of what aspects a Christian must and must not judge in others, please see "Am I My Brother's Keeper?" "The Two Great Commandments" and "Judging: Part One and Two" on the Sermons page.