Whoever said, "You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy," was way out of line. The Pharisees taught that one should love those near and dear to them (Leviticus 19:18), but that Israel's enemies should be hated. It is a natural tendency to want revenge when we are harmed and hurt.
But here in out text, Jesus puts forth the "Law of Love", which goes against the the grain of worldly thought. And the question comes,
"How can we, "bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, pray for those who spitefully use us, and persecute us?" We become like a dog, when we are hurt, we are likely to bite, and sink our teeth of revenge in deep.
The "Law of Love" was displayed on the path of love, our Savior took, when He went to Calvary, and paid for our sins. And in the midst of such extreme pain and agony, these words echo through time: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34).
Satan always wants it to be a fight. And the result of such battles is destruction. But love is about forgiveness, resolution, and reconciliation, which leads to peace. The low road is hate, and the high road is love. Taking the high road of love, is putting aside past hurt, in order to embrace future happiness. And according to Jesus, acts of love are not optional, but they are "law" GP
"Don't you know that love is all?
Love is where we all begin.
And when we knock on heaven's door,
only love will let us in."
(A line from a song recorded by Air Supply - Christmas album - 1987 Arista Records)
(Songwriters: Jon Anderson)
(Love Is All lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc)
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