Luke 6:32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”
Jesus moves on here to help us understand an important truth. There is a motivation behind the Golden Rule. More than that there is a motivation behind the Christian life in general. And, it isn’t what most people think it is. We are to love our enemies because by doing so we emulate Christ.
See, this whole thing is about Jesus. All of it. It is all about Him and the Father and how the Father is giving Him all things and He brings glory to the Father. So our every action is part of a grand plan to bring ultimate glory to the Father.
We have heard that we should love people because that is the ‘right thing to do’, or because it ‘makes everything better’, or it is moral, or whatever. These reasons are all fine and good, but they are totally incomplete. We should love our enemies because that is what Jesus wants us to do. It is a command. It is how He shows His love through us. And if we are motivated by anything other than obedience to Him, then that reflection is tainted.
Heavenly Father, we praise You for You are altogether glorious! You are worthy of the highest devotion. Only You can merit our soul’s best songs. In You we find the Purpose of the ages. Your love is a shining example that we emulate to our credit, but only by the power of Christ. In the end we must say we have only done as the Lord commanded. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.