Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-38
There is a great similarity between the discourse in Luke and that given in Matthew. There are also such marked differences that many writers think they were spoken at different times. It matters not, for our purpose, whether they are the same or a different sermon.
The law of love was taught in the Old Testament. If one met his enemy’s ox or ass going astray, he was to bring it back to him. But here the teaching goes much farther. “I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.” This is not an easy lesson. It is never easy to be a Christian. The easy way does not lead toward heaven. It takes a new birth to make us Christian at all. Loving enemies is not a natural affection. People talk about the Sermon on the Mount having in it all the gospel they want; but if they try to live it they will find that they need both an atoning Savior and a sanctifying Spirit. Yet Christ wants us to make these teachings the rule of our life. Of course we cannot love enemies just as we love our friends. It is a different kind of love that is required. We cannot take them into our confidence, nor can we make them our intimate companions; but we can desire and seek their good. We can restrain all feelings of resentment and all wishes to return evil for evil. We may have in our heart kindly thoughts and desires for them, and may even seek opportunities to do them favors and kindnesses. If anyone hates us and seeks to do us harm, instead of repaying him “in his own coin,” we may do good for evil, continuing to pour out love and blessing. This and all the other percepts of this lesson find in the life of Christ Himself their perfect illustration.
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