No doubt it is hard to love the other people who hate us. It is not so
hard just to let them alone, to pass them by without harming them, or
even to pray for them in a way; but to love them--that is a sore test.
We are apt to ask:--
"Dear Lord, will it not do,
If we return not wrong for wrong,
And neither love nor hate?
But love--O Lord, our souls are far from strong,
And love is such a tender, home-nursed dove--
How can we, Lord, our enemies bless and love?
"Fasting--Oh, one could fast--
And praying--one could most pathetic pray;
But love our enemies! Dear Lord,
Is there not unto thee some easier way--
Some way through churchly service, song, or psalm,
Or ritual grand, to reach thy heaven's calm?"
But there comes no answer of Christly indulgence to such questions.
Other people, though they be our enemies, are not thus taken out of the
circle of those to whom we owe love. Our part is always pictured for
us in the example of the good Samaritan.
That is, we owe other people service. Service goes with loving. We
cannot love truly and not serve. Love without serving is but an empty
sentiment, a poor mockery. God so loved the world that he gave. Love
always gives. If it will not give it is not love. It is measured
always by what it will give. The needs of other people are therefore
divine commands to us, which we dare not disregard or disobey.
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