The philosophy of the Jews can very well be said to be the philosophy of modern man. Love your friends and hate your enemies. On the surface, this would seem the logical thing to do. It is the main theme of most philosophy, religion and tradition. Only in Christianity do we find this original and peculiar law. No system of religion but Christianity has required it, and no act of Christian piety is more difficult.
I. The Law of Love
A. Love your enemies
1. We are to love them, not their:
a. Conduct which might be ungodly, immoral or hateful.
b. Character which might be uncouth, obnoxious, despicable.
c. Companionship which might be a bad influence, harmful to our testimony or degrading to our own character.
B. Bless them that curse you
1. We are not to trade insult for insult.
2. This word “blessing” means to say something good about them. If this is impossible then say nothing.
C. Do good to them that hate you
1. No matter what they do to us or against us. Our only answer is a good turn.
2. Hating an enemy will certainly never make him a friend.
D. Pray for them which despitefully use you
1. The Christian answer to deceit, backbiting, and gossip is simply prayer.
2. Try praying for someone and hating them at the same time. Something must give.
II. The Purpose of This Law
A. To make us more like God
1. God’s sun gives light and warmth to the evil as well as the good.
2. God’s rain falls on the evil as well as on the just (deserving)
3. God allowed men to ridicule, torment, torture and kill his own son, yet he sent His love instead of hatred. His grace instead of revenge. His mercy instead of justice.
B. To separate and set us above the rest of the world
1. How could we expect reward for doing what is easy and natural?
2. How can we claim to be God’s children if we act exactly like the children of Satan?
3. If we have a kind word and good deed only for those we love, how does this distinguish us from the vilest God hater who does the same thing.
4. Even the publicans do this. They were the most hated and despised of all the citizens of Jerusalem.
C. To make us perfect (full grown)
1. You can never gain respect and obedience from your children if you sink to their level.
2. You can never conquer an enemy or win a man that hates you, to Christ, if your tactics and attitude are the same as his.
3. We will never be profitable servants of God until we become of age spiritually.
Conclusion:
He that can meet a man kindly who is seeking his hurt; who can speak well of one that is perpetually slandering and cursing him; that can pray for a man that abuses, injures and wounds him; and that can seek heaven for him that wishes his damnation, is on the way to eternal life. This is Christianity, pure like its source, kind like its author; free like the dews of the morning; clear and diffuse like the rays of the rising sun; and holy like the feelings and words that come from the bosom of the Son of God. He that can do this need not doubt that he is a Christian for he has caught the very spirit of the Savior.
