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Articles
"Love Those Loving You"
In Matt.5:43-48 we read, "You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor" and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies; bless those cursing you, do well to those hating you; and pray for those abusing and persecuting you, so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. Because He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust. For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you only greet your brothers, what exceptional thing do you do? Do not the tax-collectors do so? Therefore, you be perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect." It is amazing how practical and insightful the Lord is about human beings. These teachings from the Master, they play out in the lives of humans over and over, even now, almost 2000 years later. Sometimes carnality and the impulses of the flesh, take control of the hearts of those who say they follow God. When we love only those who love us, when we only greet those we agree with, Jesus says we are no better than tax-collectors that show care and give greetings among themselves. Disciples of Jesus are called upon to follow the Master, to rise above such carnality and show love and good will to all, even toward our enemies. The love of the Father is like the sunshine and the rain. It falls upon everyone. Even so Jesus calls upon us to walk the higher road of having love that is demonstrated even toward enemies. Is this easy? Not at all, Jesus set the example of loving all, including enemies. Jesus loves us even when we don't act very lovely. Hard to hate when you have a heart full of love, praying for and seeking to do good toward all, yes even toward enemies.
