Jesus: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven, for He causes his sun to rise on both the evil & the good, and sends rain to both the righteous & the unrighteous. If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers & sisters, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44-48)

Paul: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position … If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends … On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:14-21)

Jesus: “Right on!”

Note to all readers: In order to make this particular section of Romans truly harmonize with Jesus’ teachings on LOVE, it was necessary to omit several phrases (hence, the ellipses) … Still, I find this passage one of those in the Bible where Paul seems to slip smoothly into brilliance, and I have faith that Jesus would have thought similarly.

Filed under: Eavesdropping in on Jesus & Paul by Scaughdt