Don't Hate!

It is easy to hate. When we consider our history, over four hundred years of systemic and systematic oppression it is easy to hate. Slavery, violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, sharecropping, reconstruction, segregation, lynchings, Jim Crow, State sanctioned race massacres, disenchantment, disenfranchisement, objectification, brain washing, separate but not equal, drug epidemic, police brutality, color blindness, and the like, are all legitimate reasons we have as Black people to hate. We could legitimately hate the country for its role and lack of support for Black people, we could hate all other ethnicities for their lack of support and interest in our struggle, we could hate ourselves even, because of our continued role in our own moral demise. Hate is easy! In fact, it is the anger and the hate that has caused many a Black person to turn away from following Jesus because they can’t seem to get past a God who commands us to love our enemies. Revenge, comes easy. Anger comes easy, and while the latter is righteous the former is not. It is God’s role to avenge his people, it is the disciples role to love. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” Fannie Lou Hamer said, “Hate won't only destroy us. It will destroy these people that's hating as well." Knowing that their is a better way. Love is the better way.

And although we have many a reason to be angry unto hate, we also have some reasons to love. We love because when they go low we go high, we love because we are created in the image and likeness of God. We love because God has kept us, and by keeping us revealing to us unconditional love. We love because we know we are loved by one another. And we love foremost of all because God loved us, and commands that we love one another.

Love fulfills the law. If you have been paying attention this year you may have noticed by now that Jesus’ greater use of the law finds its application in the heart. (Run through them) Jesus now bottom lines his 6 antitheses of the law with Love because at the end of the day Love is God’s endgame. I’ve got three ways that will keep you from hate.

Exceed Expectations (v.38-42)

The old testament laws had provisions for justice. The deed done is the punished received. Their was a cultural ideal that if you wronged someone, then you were entitled to caused that person to experiences the equal value of the suffering. This is the default emotional response to injustice. If you wronged me, you deserve to suffer also. (Elaborate) The expectation then is to retaliate. If that means legally or not. Jesus raises the bar and says “But I say to you, do not resist (oppose for war) and evil person....” and here is everyone's favorite scripture whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other”. Now, we’ve covered some hard scriptures during our time together. But, this one right here. Owee. Can I help someone today? This text has more to do with shame than it does with self-defence, it has more to do with humiliation than it does violence. You see, if you are slapped on the right cheek by the dominate hand you have been back-handed, and like now that is insulting. One commentator suggests, and I agree, “If this is the scene envisaged, then the insult involved might be as important or more than the hurt itself.” So the “turning of the cheek” is Jesus command to maintain your integrity when people are ben on humiliating you. How will you respond when people lie on you. When people drag you name through the dirt. When the people you ate with talked about you when you weren't around? Jesus says turn the other cheek. This is not cowardice, its strength. To be able to use your presence as protest, and flip the tables on them to show that you are not fazed by their foolishness. Consider our ancestors and those also who endured the struggle. Did they get laws passed by taking up arms, now they put their bodies on the line in front of America and said “you want to beat us, put it on TV so the world can see your ignorance.”

If they wan’t your shirt give them your coat. Let them see how you are different from the world and you know Jesus.

This business in v. 41 is interesting. The word “compel” is not how we think of “convincing” it was when person of authority would make you do what they asked. Just as the Simone who they “compelled” carry Jesus’ cross. Jesus says even when the law, or people who have authority over you make you go one mile. Show them you are loving even when they hate. I have found that when you exceed expectation in service it is hard to hate.

Love Your Enemies (v.43-47)

Jesus does not want us to retaliate. That is evil, that is hateful. And although Jesus entire ethic is one of love, he has to make sure everyone understands his main point which is love. So his final statement about the law, is to love your enemies. “You have heard…But I say”. The Jews of Jesus context and ours today is very similar. Both groups were decedents of slaves, both groups were oppressed, over taxed and policed, and both groups were manipulated by religious leaders for financial gain. So when he says love your enemies, I know you felt that one. Then to go further and say, “pray for those who persecute you.” It is hard to hate someone when you are taking them to the Lord in prayer, even a prayer of correction is showing concern. Even an imprecatory prayer is showing concern. Jesus was hanging on the cross! Innocent of all crimes accused, sinless of all sins imputed, assaulted and abused by the Roman empire and the Jewish religious elite, and what did he do? He prayed, “Father, forgive them for the know not what they do.” I’m not making excuses or trying to soften the blow you you have to love your enemies. No reason needed, no explanation given, just obedience to the Lord who claim you love loves you.

This is good place to remind you love is not an emotion or feeling, it is commitment and action. And finally Jesus gives us some incentives here.

You may be sons of your Father…The difference is relationship. Because you are not better than your enemies because you could have been like them. “Rain to fall on the Just and unjust alike.”

Rewards- We have something coming.

Be Like God (v.48)

Therefore, this is the goal. To be perfect as God is perfect. That’s right. You heard right. I didn’t say it, nor did I write it. Perfection here is complete lacking nothing. Jesus is calling us to a higher standard of behavior that finds is thrust in Love. Being perfect, means we don’t lack anything in regards to godliness. And in the same way God is just, loving, kind, and all good things, we too are to live our lives in this manner.

I know we are not blameless. I know we all have dirt under the rug and skeletons in the closet. But Jesus call is not considering what you have done or what you used to do, or what you used to be. Jesus has in mind a new way of living for you.

There is demonstrative perfection. The way you live out your relations to God. You will fail.

and declarative perfection. They way in which God has declare you perfect in Christ Jesus. He will never fail. (Gospel and Cross)

I was sinking deep in sin Far from the peaceful shore Very deeply stained within Sinking to rise no more But the master of the sea

Heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me Now safe am I

Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help Love lifted me Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help Love lifted me

Souls in danger look above Jesus completely saves He will lift you by his love Out of the angry waves

But the master of the sea Billows His will obey He your savior wants to be Be saved today

Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help Love lifted me Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help Love lifted me