But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
The command is spoken to those who hear Jesus, that is to His followers, to love enemies and to do active good to those who hate them. It stands together with blessing those who curse and praying for those who abuse, mistreat and persecute, and in its wider setting with turning the other cheek when struck, giving the cloak as well as the coat, giving to everyone who asks, not asking back what has been taken, and doing to others as one would have them do. Such conduct reflects the character of God the Father, who is kind even to the unthankful and evil, and reflects the principles of His government.
It calls God's children to show mercy as He shows mercy, belongs in daily religious life, and expresses principles of God's law that are wellsprings of life. God's own dealing with the wicked shows this enemy-love, for He offers them His law and mercy even while executing justice when they reject them, and His judgments remain consistent with it, since He would make those judged happy if doing so were compatible with His government and justice. Christ Himself blessed those who hated Him, making this love an example of humble, self-denying submission to God, and showing that His followers are to bless those who hate them.
Keeping the command means placing oneself under the control of Christ and keeping the heart full of love and kindness toward enemies, so that the Spirit of Christ is recognized in the life. Receiving pardon through faith in Christ should fill a person with gratitude and tender sympathy for other sinners rather than pride or revenge, so that the forgiven desire forgiveness for others and treat them with mercy. Love for enemies shows in pitying them, remembering that Jesus died for them as well, leaving no means untried to save them, and doing them good whenever possible.
In debate over truth this love shows in remaining cool, calm, deliberate, bold and decided, trusting in the name of the Lord even though the trial is not removed, speaking the truth in love and leaving results with Jesus. This love forbids reviling again when reviled, forbids any word calculated to humiliate an opponent however foolish and inconsistent, forbids any triumphant word, and forbids any word that would increase bitterness. The command applies when wrong is thought to be seen in a brother, and obeying it keeps a person from speaking evil of those God is using in a good work when spiritual discernment is beclouded by Satan's misrepresentations. Obeying it cures backbiting, false accusation, evil thinking, treating imagined evil as real, sowing suspicion, misconstruing words, and burdening minds with evil thoughts, leading instead to uplifting others, restoring their God-given nobility, and speaking encouragement with pleasantness.
The command is spoken to those who hear Jesus, that is to His followers, to love enemies and to do active good to those who hate them. It stands together with blessing those who curse and praying for those who abuse, mistreat and persecute, and in its wider setting with turning the other cheek when struck, giving the cloak as well as the coat, giving to everyone who asks, not asking back what has been taken, and doing to others as one would have them do. Such conduct reflects the character of God the Father, who is kind even to the unthankful and evil, and reflects the principles of His government.
It calls God's children to show mercy as He shows mercy, belongs in daily religious life, and expresses principles of God's law that are wellsprings of life. God's own dealing with the wicked shows this enemy-love, for He offers them His law and mercy even while executing justice when they reject them, and His judgments remain consistent with it, since He would make those judged happy if doing so were compatible with His government and justice. Christ Himself blessed those who hated Him, making this love an example of humble, self-denying submission to God, and showing that His followers are to bless those who hate them.
Keeping the command means placing oneself under the control of Christ and keeping the heart full of love and kindness toward enemies, so that the Spirit of Christ is recognized in the life. Receiving pardon through faith in Christ should fill a person with gratitude and tender sympathy for other sinners rather than pride or revenge, so that the forgiven desire forgiveness for others and treat them with mercy. Love for enemies shows in pitying them, remembering that Jesus died for them as well, leaving no means untried to save them, and doing them good whenever possible.
In debate over truth this love shows in remaining cool, calm, deliberate, bold and decided, trusting in the name of the Lord even though the trial is not removed, speaking the truth in love and leaving results with Jesus. This love forbids reviling again when reviled, forbids any word calculated to humiliate an opponent however foolish and inconsistent, forbids any triumphant word, and forbids any word that would increase bitterness. The command applies when wrong is thought to be seen in a brother, and obeying it keeps a person from speaking evil of those God is using in a good work when spiritual discernment is beclouded by Satan's misrepresentations. Obeying it cures backbiting, false accusation, evil thinking, treating imagined evil as real, sowing suspicion, misconstruing words, and burdening minds with evil thoughts, leading instead to uplifting others, restoring their God-given nobility, and speaking encouragement with pleasantness.