Love insists we do something. Feelings follow action. Feelings are the fruit, not the root, of love. If you give your enemy something to eat or drink, something happens to your feelings. When you invest yourself in someone, you begin to feel differently toward them.
Matthew 5:43-44 (The Message)
"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that."
Loving without conditions changes us and changes circumstances that, normally, would be untouchable. Hate, anger, resentment, and grudges are like cement setting up inside of us. It isn't always easy to turn the other cheek when someone has caused you grief. Praying for those that hurt us, hate us, ridicule us seems unthinkable, but the word of God instructs us to forgive and to love. God will and does equip us with the ability to forgive and to love.
My hearts desire is to know the heart of God. With knowledge comes wisdom and understanding. With wisdom, truth is revealed and it unleashes an overwhelming urge to show love and mercy.
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