Letters From Our Readers: July/August 2025

In our March-April issue, we examined the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and its implications for all humankind.

I am writing to cancel my subscription. I saw the cover, which said “The Greatest Comeback Ever!” is regarding the return of the person elected to the highest office in the U.S. While I appreciate that as a “Christian” magazine you gave the honor of greatest comeback to our Lord Jesus, the fact that you are lifting up the return of a convicted felon who is a narcissist and a known liar is extremely disappointing to me. How can your magazine stand with someone who clearly does not love neighbor as himself? What offering of care do you give families ripped apart? Your publication is no longer one that I want in my home. -- Former subscriber in Canada

The cover title was not about the U.S. presidential reelection. The empty tomb image and article itself make clear the greatest comeback ever is the return of Jesus Christ from the dead—leading to His future return. The reelection in the introduction was drawing attention to people calling that the greatest comeback—wrongly.

There is not space to address accusations against the president, but we caution against reviling and note that much of the country considered the legal outcomes partisan. We were not promoting a political figure, just noting his comeback as remarkable—the accusations making it more so. But again, the point was that it paled next to the ultimate comeback. It’s not our place to defend how national leaders love others. The political arena is not often characterized by selflessness. It’s unclear what’s intended about families ripped apart. In any case, the most help we can give anyone is the truth of God’s Word. Of course, we should be helping in various circumstances as we are able—and encouraging all to do the same.

7 Ways to Love Your Enemies

Hello, my so very dear special friends. Next month I will be 70 years old. My first job was a butcher’s boy. The owner was a Christian, but every day he would shout at me, several times a day, as I was left-handed [affecting use of right-handed tools]—including in front of customers. I later worked for a chain store as a grade-1 butcher. Being left-handed, I was verbally and physically abused, and even locked in fridges. The people who damaged me I could never forgive! I have read your article “7 Ways to Love Your Enemies” several times. I am now seeking for our God to forgive me, and for His help and guidance through His Holy Scriptures to learn forgiveness and how to love those who caused me such pain! -- Reader in the U.K.

I wonder If the article’s author has ever had any real enemies. Not somebody who may have cut in line in front of her or said something bad to her, but somebody who may have caused harm in an evil, heinous manner—like a daughter brutally raped and murdered. The seven suggestions are very difficult in facing a true enemy. She says we need to be like Jesus in being patient, loving and forgiving. But when Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers in Matthew 21:12–13, He did not pray for his enemies. He did not forgive them. He did not speak well of them. He didn’t try to understand their perspectives. He retaliated, and he was not patient. I actually agree with what Jesus did as an example for dealing with my true enemies. -- Subscriber in New Jersey

From author Becky Sweat: My intent was not to cover every aspect of the topic in one article. I wasn’t even attempting to address “extreme enemies” or attackers but rather more “everyday” or routine situations where others may agitate, betray or emotionally hurt us. Those who’ve suffered severe harm or are in fear for their lives may need in-depth help through counseling to cope with such trauma.

Editor’s note: It should be added that the conclusions about Jesus are mistaken. There is no reason to assume He did not pray for the moneychangers or that He was unforgiving and had no patience. The account is brief with much not stated. Jesus was angry, but we also know He was full of mercy, even to the point of praying for the forgiveness of the soldiers who crucified Him. Jesus was not retaliating. Likewise, parents properly disciplining children are not “getting back at them.” Further, Jesus was denouncing a national outrage and provoking confrontation with the religious authorities, who were abusing the common people for their own gain. This was not facing personal antagonism, as the article was addressing.

Other comments from our readers

I just wanted you folks to know that I have learned more in the last several months from your literature about my faith in Jesus Christ and God the Father than I have in the past 50 years from any other church or denomination I’d belonged to. I just wanted to thank you that I feel closer to God now than I ever have before and also closer to Jesus Christ. -- From the Internet

I have been studying from your site for about a year if not longer and am currently in the Acts study [available at ucg.org/acts]. I would just like to take the time to thank Darris McNeely and the Beyond Today team for making it so interesting. My husband and I live in Quebec and tune into the United Church of God webcast for Sabbath services each week. Thanks also for making us feel a part of your congregation. -- Reader in Quebec, Canada