**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today. In your teachings, you often emphasize love and compassion. Can you explain what you meant in Matthew 5:43-45?
**Author:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. In that passage, I address a common belief of the time regarding love and enmity. People were often taught to love their neighbors but hate their enemies.
**Interviewer:** So you’re specifically challenging that idea?
**Author:** Exactly. I tell them, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” It’s a radical departure from conventional wisdom.
**Interviewer:** That’s a significant shift in understanding. What’s the reasoning behind that?
**Author:** My intention is to highlight a deeper truth about love. When we embrace love—even for those who oppose us—we reflect the very nature of the Father. I continue, “so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” This connection is crucial; it shows that living a life of love transcends mere human boundaries and reflects divine compassion.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like you’re advocating for a kind of universal love. Why do you think that’s important?
**Author:** It’s essential because love has the power to transform lives. When we love our enemies, we break the cycle of hatred and conflict. Additionally, I explain that “He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” This illustrates that God’s love extends to all—an invitation for us to embrace that same mindset.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite profound. How do you see this teaching playing out in the lives of people today?
**Author:** My hope is that individuals recognize their potential to foster peace and understanding. It’s not easy, and human nature often resists such selflessness. Yet, by choosing to love even when it’s difficult, we can create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond ourselves.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing those insights. Your teachings certainly challenge us to think differently about love and our relationships with others.
**Author:** Thank you for listening and for the opportunity to discuss these important truths. Remember, love is the core of the message I aim to share.