Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Plain are some of the most important and most difficult. Jesus calls us to a life which reverses our natural instincts of only loving those who love us, but to love all people even those who have hurt us.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Luke 6:32-35
Following the way of Jesus means we have to love our enemies, we need to love those who have hurt us, abused us, oppressed us, and made our lives difficult. This is not easy, it is not natural and apart from the grace of God it cannot be done. But the only way to defeat evil is with good. The only solution to hatred is love. The only answer for our pain is forgiveness. Following the way of Jesus brings transformation to our lives and to our relationships. The ways of the world only continue the cycles of hostility and anger. God wants love to rule our hearts and our lives and it starts with us.
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