At the Core-It's Love
We begin with a question both of us should be able answer:
What is the central & core purpose of Jesus’ teaching?
What is the foundational premise of all that Jesus teaches?
While we think about the answer, another question-what is the most difficult thing for you and I?
You say stop with the questions! But wait, there is a purpose to these questions.
Here it is, let’s put the questions together because they are related. Now the related question: what is the core of Jesus’ teaching AND the most difficult thing for a human to do?
It’s loving our enemies.
And you ask who might be our enemies? Perhaps you are thinking, I don’t have any. While you think about the answer, read the words of Jesus on the subject:
““But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:27-31
Who is it Jesus is directing us to love? It might be a good idea if we rethink what the word enemy means. These are the synonyms for enemies. We find our answer in them: our adversary, our rival, our antagonist, our competitors, the hostile party, the other side. Yes, we have enemies, even if we don’t like to call them that.
It is NOT easy for us to love our enemies. We prefer to hate them. It seems to feel better. But the One who knows all things, the One who has all power, the One who is everywhere present tells us to LOVE our enemies.
So…who do you think we should trust?
Our abilities or Jesus?
Let’s stick with Jesus on this.
In Him, and through Him we can love our enemies…it is Jesus who gives us strength. If He commands us to, it follows that He will enable us to love those who are unlovable. Think of it this way, how would we like our enemy to act toward us? Since I am writing this let me answer for both of us: with love…love is the most excellent way…especially with enemies...even those who are not.
Now a final question… want to know the first step to loving our enemy?
Pray for them.
I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (from the words of Jesus.)