" More
generally what is meant is that the Christian man is by the grace of
GOD, to conquer the instinct of hatred and the spirit of revenge
within his own heart, to be willing to serve others (his enemies
included) at cost to himself in accordance with the will of GOD, to
desire on behalf of all men (his enemies included) the realization of
their true good. For wrongdoers chastisement may be the truest
kindness. To allow a man, or a nation, to pursue an evil purpose
unchecked would be no real act of love even towards the nation or the
individual concerned. To offer opposition, if necessary by force, may
in certain circumstances be a plain duty. That which we are to love,
in those whose immediate aspect and character is both unlovely and
unlovable, is not what they are, but what they are capable of
becoming. We are to love that element in them which is capable of
redemption, the true spiritual image of GOD in man, which can never be
totally effaced. We are to remember that for them also the Son of GOD
was crucified, that we also have need of forgiveness, and that "GOD
commendeth His own love towards us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
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