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<p>Christ did not so much give<em> rules for special cases</em> — as <em>principles to govern all conduct</em>.<br />
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&quot;I tell you who hear Me: Love your <em>enemies;</em> do good to those who <em>hate </em>you.&quot; Luke 6:27<br />
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<em>Loving enemies</em> is not a natural affection.<br />
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<strong>This is not an easy lesson to learn! </strong><br />
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It is never <em>easy </em>to be a Christian. <br />
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The <em>easy way</em> does not lead toward heaven! <br />
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The<em> lesson of love</em> continues, &quot;Bless those who <em>curse </em>you; pray for those who <em>mistreat </em>you.&quot; Luke 6:28<br />
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These counsels are intensely practical. In answer to men's cursing, reviling and insults — we are to return words of peace, kindness and love. Those who mistreat us — we are to pray for, instead of uttering threats against them, or imprecations upon them.<br />
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We remember how Jesus Himself lived out this<em> law of love</em>. There were many who cursed Him and reviled Him — but He never lost the sweetness of love out of His heart. He never on any occasion returned a word of cursing or anger or even of impatience — in response to the bitterest reviling of His enemies. &quot;When He was reviled — He did not revile in return; when suffering — He did not threaten, but committed Himself to the One who judges justly.&quot; 1 Peter 2:23 <br />
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That is the <em>example </em>for us. We are to be silent when others speak evil of us or to us; or, if we speak, it is to be the <em>soft answer</em> that turns away wrath. We need not worry ourselves about the <em>deserts </em>of those who treat us unjustly, feeling that <em>we </em>should see to their punishment. We are to leave that to God — who judges righteously and who will take care also that no <em>real harm</em> shall come to us, from the wrongs which others inflict on us, provided we keep ourselves in His love and in an obedient spirit.<br />
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The lesson has its <em>ideal exemplification</em> in our Lord's prayer on His cross for His murderers. His only <em>answer </em>to the driving of the nails through His hands and feet was, &quot;Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do!&quot; That is the way He wants us to answer the <em>cruelties</em> and <em>injuries</em> which others may inflict upon us!<br />
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We must be ready to endure not one — but many injuries from the others. We must be <em>unresisting, </em>like our Lord. No wrongs from others — should ever turn our love to hate. Christ's own life was an illustration of this. He was treated wrongfully at every step — but His heart never lost its sweetness, its gentleness, its patience, its desire to bless others and do them good.
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