Who Do You Love

There is a lot of craziness in our world today with people shooting people with whom they disagree, and evil running rampant in the name of religion.  It brings us to the question of What does the Bible teach about love and vengeance and human relations? 

We know that Jesus brought a message of peace.  Matthew 5 tells us in the words of Jesus:  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..."  And Jesus was the perfect example of this, for when He was reviled, He did not revile.

In Luke 10, Jesus was asked by a Jewish lawyer how to inherit eternal life.  Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."  Then the man asked, "And who is my neighbor?"  Jesus then taught the man about the good Samaritan, where a man had been injured by robbers, left for dead, and had been passed up by a priest and a Levite, but helped by the Samaritan, a man hated by the Jews.  Jesus concluded by asking, "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?"  "And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.'  Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.' "  This passage shows the love and compassion that Jesus had for all men.  But it also shows that we are to exercise the same....no matter who they are.

Galatians 6:10 puts it this way, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

And Romans 12:17, "Repay no one evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I  will repay,' says the Lord. "

As Christians, we are to love everyone, our enemies, those who are in sin, those with whom we disagree,  everyone.

Thanks for reading.  Feel the love.