Jesus dealt with many aspects of human life but the one that He spent longest on was the need for love. His focus was not just on the love for our friends and family, but something much more challenging, a love that tests every normal human reaction.
"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
He spoke of a love for those who we want to hate, a love for those who already hate us. This love requires effort, and strain, and every ounce of self-command that one can summon up.
It is the easiest thing in the world to hate, to let the desire for revenge grow in our hearts. Indeed vengeance may even have the shadow of justice attached to it, but in reality, it leads to dark, unadulterated hate and a spiral of destruction.
To be truly happy we must rise above the bigotry and jealousy of others. We must love even if we are hated for it. Love and do not hate, for surely love is the only path to peace, freedom and happiness. Those who follow the path of love will be demonstrating the kingdom of heaven that Jesus was trying to tell us about. God's Kingdom is at hand.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
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