The LORD Jesus, talks a good deal about love, in His brief time of earthly ministry. In fact, God stepped into his world to rescue us, the enemies of God, because of His great love for us – John 3:16, Romans 5:5:5-8, Luke 6;27-36.
The LORD asks us, His disciples and Christians, to love God with all our heart, soul and mind – Matthew 22:37-38. Then the Master goes to command His disciples, that includes us, to love our neighbour as ourselves – Matthew 22:39. The LORD Jesus expounds to us, that the whole law and the prophets, that simply put, the whole heart and the will of God is summed up in these two commands – Matthew 22:40.
For God of the Bible, love is a very serious business. It is our love for one another, and our willingness to love the unlovable and to love out enemies, and those who hates us, is what defines a Christian, a disciple and a follower of the LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth – John 13:34-35. If we say, we love God, and do not display the same love as God our Redeemer, then there is something wrong with our claims to be the follower of Christ of Nazareth – 1 John 4:4-21.
Allow me to introduce to you a beautiful Christian song, on the above subject, by Charlotte Höglund, in her 1987 album “Free.” It will surely stirr us to think about us as Christians, our love for God, neighbour, fellow Christian and our enemies, most importantly.
1- “You can never conquer with a heart full of hatred, never win the battle over evil with hate.
Refrain – Only love is the answer, Only love is the answer, Only love is the answer, In a world full of hate.
2- Hate corrodes your inner man, and binds you in dark loneliness. Overcome your bitterness, obey your Lord’s command. Let love be a motive; hate strangles your gladness; attempt to leave the past behind; and you shall win in the end.
3- Love those who hate you; bless them that curse you; pray for those who hurt you; and treat you thoughtlessly. Don’t give into your resentment; make it up with your brother; commit your ways unto the Lord; and you shall win in the end.
4- Who can ever conquer, with a heart full of hatred; never win the battle over evil with hate.”
May the LORD help us to be people, who will love others, and our enemies, just like our LORD.
"Assuredly there is but one way in which to achieve what is not merely difficult but utterly against human nature: to love those who hate us, to repay their evil deeds with benefits, to return blessings for reproaches. It is that we remember not to consider men’s evil intention but to look upon the image of God in them, which cancels and effaces their transgressions, and with its beauty and dignity allures us to love and embrace them."