Introduction The world is a hateful place.   Who can deny it?   As Paul says, For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another (Titus 3.3, ESV). Quite possibly, this is what Paul meant in Ephesians 2.3 when he described the pre-Christian life as a time when we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [1] In Titus, Paul contrasts our hatred of others to the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Saviour (Titus 3.4), and in Ephesians our wrath as sons of disobedience following the prince of the power of the air contrast with God’s mercy and love (Ephesians 2.4).   To pray for our enemies is to move from malice, envy, hatred, and wrath to God’s goodness, lovingkindness, mercy, and love. A Complete Ethic Jesus prayed from the cross for His enemies: 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do' (Luke 23.34).  This

  The disciples were enjoying a rest along the Windrush River on their journey from Monmouth to Oxford.   In Witney, one of the disciples had picked up a newspaper and was now reading headlines to the others.   ‘Well, this is rather humourous!’ he exclaimed. ‘What is it?’ asked another disciple. ‘Well, a major focus of this last General Synod of the Church of England has been to bring about reconciliation after all the divisions the revisionists have caused in trying to change the Church of England’s views on sex and marriage.’ ‘Yes, we know that.’ ‘And...,’ said the disciple, holding up his hand, ‘And so now everyone is supposed to ignore the fundamental differences over sexuality and marriage and get on with other business.  This ignoring the great division is being called "reconciliation."’ ‘Get to the funny bit,’ shouted a disciple. ‘All right, all right.   So, at Synod, someone put forward a motion that the Synod acknowledge that there are some in the Church