Click here to listen to the radio version.
Click here to search the AOG archives.
Apples of Gold
Radio Script for February 15, 2011
“Love is the Power Position”
Hello, I’m Doug Apple…with Apples of Gold.
“If you tell anyone what you saw here today, I will kill you.”
That’s what “Jimmy” told Chip Ingram when the two of them were teammates on a small college basketball team.
Chip was the white boy, the young point guard, and a Christian wanting to shine his faith on the team.
Jimmy was the older, powerful Viet Nam vet who had done some time and was supposedly a reformed drug addict.
Jimmy hated Christians and said things like, “I am evil, and I know if there’s a hell, I’m going there.”
Chip was just a freshman, and he had to carry Jimmy’s bag and get food for him. Meanwhile, Jimmy persecuted Chip mercilessly for his faith and his stand to remain pure before marriage. Jimmy worked hard to make Chip’s life miserable, and it worked. Chip was afraid. He was stressed. He was having stomach problems and nightmares.
The conflict reached its apex one night when Chip was returning to his dorm room. As he stood at his door, the door across the hall opened and there was Jimmy with some other guys smoking dope.
Now remember, Jimmy previously had drug problems. If anyone found out that he was using again, he would be off the team, out of school, and probably back in jail. Chip now had the information he needed to not only get revenge, but to get Jimmy out of his life once and for all.
And Jimmy knew it. That’s why he flew across the hall and pressed his hand into Chip’s neck.
“If you tell anyone what you saw here today, I will kill you. I have killed plenty of men before, and one more won’t make any difference.”
Judging by the look in his eyes and the intensity of his words, Chip believed the threat was real. And he developed a deep hatred for Jimmy.
Now what would your advice be to Chip? What should a person do if someone is making their life miserable?
Listen to the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew chapter five He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
In Luke 6:35 Jesus said, “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the unthankful and evil.”
Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
It goes on to say, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink…”
And the final phrase in Romans chapter 12: “…overcome evil with good.”
“But Doug, I am not going to be a doormat. I’m not going to lie down and give someone else all the power over me.”
Okay. Listen to my next phrase carefully. Here it is.
Love is the power position.
When you really love someone, you are walking in power.
When you walk in love, you do not walk in fear, because according to First John 4:18, “perfect love casts out fear.”
The person that is making your life miserable – every time you think of them, think of this line. “This is someone I love.”
Let God’s love infuse you for that person. Let His love flow into you for them. When you do, fear and anxiety will flow out. Yes, it will be a miracle, because that’s not what normally happens. People don’t normally love their enemies, but that’s what Jesus called us to do, and when God calls us to do something – get this – He empowers us to do it.
That’s what Chip Ingram did with his archenemy Jimmy. He served him. He began to go the extra mile, doing more than Jimmy asked. He even spoke good words about him, instead of returning his evil words.
He did it for months, for the whole basketball season; and Jimmy just kept torturing him.
But then at the end of the season – and you can read all about it in Chip’s book “Living on the Edge,” – here is what Jimmy had to say.
“Chip, I’ve got news for you, man. There are only two of us that I respect on this team.
Everybody else is a phony. I am evil, and I know I’m evil, but you’re the first Christian I’ve met that you’re really a Christian, and I respect you. I disagree with everything. I hate everything you represent, but you’re living it out. I’m done messing with you. It’s not fun anymore.”
Sure, Chip could have fought back. He could have brought in reinforcements. He could have turned it into World War III, but he didn’t. Instead, he followed the wisdom of Scripture. He loved his enemy, and he went the extra mile to serve him; and God was glorified in the process.
So if someone is making your life miserable, hear the example of Chip Ingram, and listen to the teaching of Jesus. Love them. Every time you think of them, tell yourself, “This is someone I love.” Then treat them like someone you love.
And don’t think you are being a doormat. Don’t think you are giving them all the power because listen – anytime you obey God, you are walking in more power than ever before.
When you love your enemies and serve them, keep this little phrase in mind.
Love is the power position.
Comments?
E-mail me: dougapple@wave94.com.
May God bless you today! With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.
© 2011 The Arrow’s Tip
To subscribe to your own daily “Apples of Gold” e-mail, write dougapple@wave94.com.
If you want to be removed from this e-mail list, simply click reply and type UNSUBSCRIBE on the subject line.
If you want to catch “Apples of Gold” in its original audio format, go to www.wave94.com
To search through the large archive of past articles, go here: http://www.wave94.com/modules.php?name=Stories_Archive
If you have trouble reaching me at my main e-mail address, try this one: douglas_apple@msn.com
(Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”)
Why “The Arrow’s Tip”? Each morning, after diligently seeking the Lord, I write Apples of Gold. Then before I release it to the public I pray one final prayer, “Lord, send forth your arrows.” I envision Apples of Gold as arrows, tips dipped in the river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), sailing toward the hearts and minds of men and women around the world.
Doug Apple
General Manager - Wave 94
Christian Radio for Tallahassee
PO Box 4105
Tallahassee, FL 32315
(850) 926-8000
-vi-
No comments:
Post a Comment