Notice what Luke 6: 27-28 says, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you”.
The average person may ask, “Lord are you for real”? I can answer that, yes, He is. The only life that will stand the storms of life is one that is based on love. This is an insight given to us by the Lord of Life Himself. In this famous sermon Jesus makes the life of love an essential for a storm proof life.
Twice He repeats the admonition,”Love your enemies”. It must have been a shock to those who first heard it. Their best spiritual leaders had been telling them to love their neighbors but to hate their enemies. Jesus extends the admonition of neighborly love to include even the un-neighborly. He uses that word “LOVE” that was used of God’s love for sinful man.
The world has not changed. This is still the kind of world in which even the best of saints or persons have enemies. Their enmity may grow out of a political difference, competition in the marketplace, moral difference, or even differences of faith and religion. The enemy may be in your own household or almost a stranger. You and I are to respond to each of these enemies with a Godlike love.
The object of our love. To those who first heard the admonition there must have come immediate thought of the Romans. These conquerors of the land of Israel were considered to be enemies.This admonition of Jesus must have been considered almost immoral to some who first heard it. Our Lord does not leave us in doubt about the true nature of this person we are to love.
Our Lord explains the admonition with the clauses that follow: “Do good to those who hate you.” This reveals their basic attitude toward you. In their hearts they have deep, malicious feelings of disrespect for you.
“Bless those who curse you.” To curse means to call doom down on the head of a person. It is verbal attempt to do you harm. Such are the actions of the enemy we are to love.
Remember, this is a command, not a request from our Lord Jesus Christ. “Love your Enemy”.
To be continued…
Much Love,
Because He Is – I Am
Presider
