Love in the Face of Hate
Capazin Thornton
How my heart breaks to hear stories of the brutal rape, torture, and murder by decapitation of Christians in the Middle East. What an insane world we live in! And what appalling apathy that world leaders do little to stop the genocide. That said, in spite of increasing hostility, violence, and indifference towards Christians, God has called us to love.
Love in the face of hate
Jesus said: “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.”—Matthew 5:43-44 (NKJV)
We are called to:
- Love those who are hateful and hostile to us.
- Speak well of those who curse, doom or imprecate evil upon us.
- Do good to those who hate and detest us.
- Pray for those who persecute–insult, abuse, tell lies about, threaten, harass, trouble, and aggressively pursue us.
How is it possible to love like this? Keep reading.
God is Love
While in Philadelphia a few weeks ago, Pope Francis told the story about a young child asking him, “What did God do before He created the world?” Pope Francis thought for a moment and then responded: “Before He created the world God loved…because God is love.” What a great answer!
The central truth underlying all that God does is the fact that…GOD is LOVE. (1 John 4:8).
The God Kind of Love
The God kind of love is called agápe (ag-ah’-pay). Though used in a few classical Greek writings, no one could grasp the meaning of agápe until Christ came from Heaven, revealing and demonstrating it. Through Christ, we see that:
Agápe is pure, selfless, merciful, and unconditional.
The proof of God’s amazing love is this: “…while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”—Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
Agápe is democratic. God accepts anyone who receives and believes in His Son.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16 (NKJV)
Agápe is a tenaciously devoted love. It is a love that always gives and seeks the highest good for the person loved.
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.” —1 John 3:1 (NKJV)
Agápe is an unfailing love. Unlike érōs or erotic love, and storgē (stor-gay) or familial love, and philía or friendship love—all of which may fade out or become obsolete—the God kind of love (agape) never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8).
Dispense the God Kind of Love
Christian, the amazing and immense love of God has been poured out in your heart by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) You know that God loves you. Dispense His love to others so they will know that He loves them too.
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Do you find loving your enemies difficult? Please feel free to post your comments.
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Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher and author in Orange County, California.
