Luke 6:27-30 But I say to you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,… I. ILLUSTRATE THIS DUTY. 1. The objects — "Enemies." 2. The feelings we must exercise towards them — " Love. " (1) So as deeply to compassionate them — feel for them — and sincerely pity them. (2) That we forgive them. (3) That we pray for them. (4) That we are ready to relieve them, and do them good. (5) That we are willing to receive them to favour and friendship on signs of repentance. II. ENFORCE THIS DUTY. 1. On the ground of Christ's indisputable authority. 2. On the ground of Christ's blessed example. 3. Our acceptance with God is suspended upon 4. It is essential to true religion here, and to happiness hereafter. III. ANSWER OBJECTIONS. It is objected — 1. "That it is incompatible with self-love." We reply, that we are not to love the injury, but the injurer; and the soul's sweetest felicity will thus be produced. 2. "Revenge is sweet." It is so to demons, and wicked men who possess the spirit of the wicked one. But mercy and pity only are really sweet to those who are renewed in their hearts by the saving grace of God. 3. "Revenge is honourable." It is false honour — the honour of a bad world, and of depraved hearts. It is the glory of the blessed God to forgive us, who have been enemies to Him; and it is our highest dignity to be conformed to His holy image. 4. "It is impossible." So it is to the carnal mind, without Divine aid, without crucifying our own carnal self. Stephen prayed for his murderers. And the blessed Jesus, who knows what is in man, and what he is capable of doing, and whose yoke is easy, has enjoined it; and therefore, however difficult, it is evidently possible. (J. Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,WEB: "But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, |
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