Love your enemies

Submitted by Gale (United States), Jul 17, 2015 at 14:23

Your argument is very noble on the surface, but it falls flat. Indeed, any religion that advocates loving only those who are already peaceful does not propagate peace. It would be outright hypocrisy. Someone has to make the first move, sacrificing their self-righteousness and fear for something higher. That person would be a true peacemaker. This is where Jesus comes in: crossing boundaries to embrace the enemy "other" to bring about reconciliation and friendship. Not all Christians do this, but they are supposed to do it: From Matthew 5:"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love only those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Remember, blessed are the peaceMAKERS (Matt. 5:9), not peace-keepers; keeping peace is a lot easier than making it.

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