Love Conquers

A Ninety eight year old man testified in church that he had no enemies. Then the minister said, “What a wonderful Christian life you lead! Please tell us all how it is that you have no enemies.” He said, “Oh I had a lot, all of those fools have died!”. Sadly as we go through life for better or worse, and no matter how hard we try, we will gather up some enemies. There are people whom we’ve angered, or those who are jealous of us or those who have set themselves against us for no good reason. It’s a sad reality of human life.

Jesus said, "I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you". Jesus was not teaching them anything new. Rather, He was directly referring to the law God had given them through Moses with His signature. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." (Lev 19:18). We do not love others to go to heaven. Rather love is a reflection of Christian faith. Why does a man love his wife? is it to earn her love? or is it to demonstrate the sacredness of their love?

A famous social reformer said, "Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars . Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." When we bless those who curse us, we break the cycle of anger and hatred. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). Grace and patience produce more good fruit than anger and frustration.

Loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you is liberating. Some people are trapped into cycles of vengefulness that wears down both parties and dehumanizes everyone involved. The love of God that transcends human response will conqer and win at last. Morality judges, love forgives. Reason walks away, love walks towards. Jesus said, "by your love the world shall know that you are my disciples" (John 13:35). The message of the Cross is that love is the only way.

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Blessings

Mathew Philip

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