Overcoming hate

 by David Long

“And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him” (Acts 21:8). Most read over this and miss how this was possible: Paul staying in Philip’s house. Philip was one of seven in Acts 6. Stephen who was also one of the seven had been killed by Paul (when he was Saul) in Acts 7. Philip and Stephen were coworkers in helping the Grecian widows. Philip had been run out of Jerusalem by Paul who was persecuting Christians. If any one had reason to distrust and even hate Paul, it had to be Philip. But now look at these two men. No hate in their hearts. Now you have Philip helping the man who at one time hated him and Paul staying in the house of the man he once would have killed. Now they both would lay down their lives for each other. What overcomes hate? Politics won’t do it. Self-help books won’t do it. The man-made religions won’t do it. Then what does it? “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Eph. 2:13-18).