These verses are like the Golden Rule but more aggressive, more counter to human nature, more bizarro-world. The golden rule just says to treat everyone well (as well as I want to be treated.) These verses specifically pick out my enemies, people who hate me, people who curse me, and people who mistreat me. These are very strong words, especially hate and curse. Not only are they strong, they are active and purposeful words. They convey intent and derision aimed directly at me. My response to this level of loathing would probably be shock, fear, confusion, shame, maybe anger… depending on whether or not I felt I’d earned such contempt. I would do my best to avoid those people. In the end I’d probably hate them back. This is not how God wants the world to work. This is all upside-down to Him. And He wants His children to help turn things right-side-up. To do that I need to put aside my instinctual reactions and do the opposite. Jesus says my response to bitter animosity should be love! I should do good things for haters. I should bless the cursers. And I should make time to pray for the mistreaters. Notice how these words that describe my response are also very active, purposeful and intentional words. To counter active hate I must be active in how I love.
Dear God,
Teach me how to be more active in how I love the people who hate me. Show me for whom, specifically, in my life you want me to spend time doing good things. Point out who you want me to speak blessings over and pray for. Remind me of this verse the next time I am about to react to animosity with normal ‘human’ emotions, actions, and attitudes. Give me the strength to love instead. And I pray for your perfect kingdom to begin, where love reigns and all hatred is abolished for good.
CamDevo 