Love Unlimited?

When Paul talked about loving one another, did he mean everyone?

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:9-21

Love needs to be reciprocal for it to be universal.

If I choose to love everyone, but some choose to hate me and want me dead, how is that going to work?

Eventually, the haters win out, and all the lovers are gone.

Paul must have intended his message of love for the people of Christ, the early church, since they were the ones who followed Jesus and believed in Him.

All the rest be damned, right?

But Paul talks about vengeance.  He believes God will take care of those who persecute you, so he must be thinking about others, not just believers.

Those who want to rid the world of people who don't belive what they believe are probably not going to back down or feel threatened by God's ultimate vengeance.

So, what do we do?

Do we let them wage war and kill, while we seek to make peace?

We didn't have an answer for that in Paul's day, and we still don't today.

I guess God will have to wait until we are done with our vengeance before He can step in and set the world right.

More to come...