If a command of GOD
doesn't seem impossible to you, then it has either been
without comprehension,
or misunderstood; and perhaps none more significant in all the
Bible than this
command to love.
"Ye have heard
that it hath been said, thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate
thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
Certainly, the person who has received the love of GOD in CHRIST
has a leg up in this area; but an affection like this is still
foreign to every natural impulse, and to exercise it is frankly absurd!
"Bless them
which persecute you: bless, and curse not."
In spite of fallen rationale, these verses
are not the lofty ideal of an irrational GOD, but commands of
HIM, WHO both enables, and holds us accountable.
"...
for without ME ye can do nothing."
The humble and redeemed embrace their
inabilities and side with CHRIST about them; for it is only:
"... because the
love of GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the HOLY GHOST ...
and that:
the fruit of the SPIRIT is love ..." that we could even dream of
keeping these laws to love.
"But
GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, CHRIST died for us."
Love of the divine variety never fuses
with itself, it will only be exposed in the antipode. Any
litmus of legitimate love, is imperceptible outside the lab of
the human unlovely; and the only regent able to reveal true love
is hatred, cursing, spite, and persecution.
"Then said JESUS, FATHER,
forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Luke recorded these words of CHRIST with the spittle
of our hatred still fresh on HIS face, and marred beyond
recognition from beating. No one holds a more impressive résumé in
the laws of love than JESUS CHRIST!
"...
according to the love of the LORD"
How then does GOD love us?
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends."
True, but incomprehensible is the love that goes to Calvary
carrying its own murder weapon. The real definition is
not in page and ink, but in a PERSON.
"The LORD hath appeared of
old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting
love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."
Trust HIM WHO is the epitome of
charity when HE reaches out
to you with the proof of HIS nail pierced hands.
"Charity never faileth".