spdjeanne wrote:
Quote:
Jesus even commands us to love our enemies, which at times is very difficult.
I agree that loving one's enemies is difficult, but I also believe it is even more valuable than loving people who love you back. In fact, I believe it to be "the greater good" about which theodiceans philosophize about. It is that which was embodied in Jesus of Nazareth as he denied himself on the cross both as God to sanctify and as man to justify us. However, that is a topic for a whole 'nother thread.
I don't know about theodiceans, but this is where it comes from:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
(Mat 5:43-48 KJV)