Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-11
THE LAW OF LOVE.
Luke, E :27-38; Romans, IS $40.
Golden Text: Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself." "
Romans, 1879.

~ OTHER incarnates love. No more
AARu appropriate study could have
Nv been assigned for Mothers day
than the law Of love which controls the
life Of every mother.
Jesus reduced all laws to one. Thou
shalt love-" Our lesson reveals to US the
motive power by which the Master pro-
posed to establish the kingdom OF GOO
among men. To the disciples who had
heard His messianic manifesto, that dill
fered from their preconceived plans Of
the kingdom, with its social outcome
as presented In last weeks study. this
lesson, which Is a CONTINUATION Of last
weeks, presented a radical proposal
The centralizing Of all laws under the
head Of the law Of love reveals the
fact that the center. Of the Masters
teaching was the dominating principle
that q genuine seeking love is at the
heart of all life. He saw love as the
fundamental basis in all laws. The
commandments proclaimed upon Mount
Sinai revealed the same spirit that the
laws written in the records or nature
declared The Master gave the clear
est expression found in all literature.
life. and laws in His message, mission
and manifesto revealing the love OF
God to men.
Jesus not only unveiled to men the
heart Of God, but He taught that the
familiar Jewish combination that made
the two great communicating OF the
law, Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God, ]" and Thou shalt love thy neigh
Dor as myself" an entrance into eter-
nal life. possessed unity. Both were
comprehensive pertaining to the SUI
preme relations Of life. and they had
one spirit requiring that our relation
ship to God and man should be con-
trOlled by the same anection. by bring
ing our relation to God into the terms
made the relationship between God and
man Ineligible to all and dignified
the obligations that men owe to one
another. The Jews were in the habit
of interpreting neighbor to mean those
of their own race. In our lesson Jesus
corrects this misinterpretation and ex-
tends its meaning to include loving
ones enemies.
Loving Your Enemies.
The practical application Of the law OF
love to ones enemies was illustrated by
the parable OF the good Samaritan.
Jesus interpreted not only ''neighbor."
but love-" bysshowing that love reveals
itself in unselAsh service for the needy.
There could be no higher Interpretation
cred by the Master.
Love to enemies has the character of
divine love. God loves men whose sinful
lives have opposed the Fathers plans.
The source Of our love for men 10 our
love- for God. which fosters love for our
brothers. Fraternity without God is
doomed to fail. The history Of France
proved that q brotherhood Of man without
God the Father is impossible.
II Is dlfhcult to analyze love. Paul In
his masterpiece has divided It into vari-
ous elements. Jesus here divides love
Of enemies into three parts: Do good,
bless and pray. We are to carry love be-
yond sentiment by service that may
win our enemies to God. AS Paul puts it,
thirst give him drink: for in so doing
thou shalt heap Goals Of fire on his head.
Be not overcome Of evil, but overcome
evil with good" We are not called upon
TO condone evil. to approve of ubiquitous
actions. or to excuse wrongdoings, but
We are summoned to view men from the
attitude Of love that win prompt US to do |
good even when they detest as.
Our personal feelings and desires, pos
sibly for revenge. are to be suppressed |
the one who hates another |
wrongs his own soul. The vengeance OF
owe calls for doing good to our enemies \
Ind blessing those that curse us. We are |
% bid our God to bless those who seek |
% call down upon US the curses Of the |
Almighty. We check the curse by cry
ng out, as did our Lord when He was
for a blessing upon those who |
wish US evil. But this Is not the extent |
If loving our enemies. for we are to pray 4
or those who by insult, injury and in |
iuence "despitefully use u.s."
Our service IL not sufficient. We are to /
geek divine help by praying for them.
Prayer Is our greatest power. Our inter. L
,ession win not only bring divine bless-
ne upon our enemies. but It will MI our /