Love

Injil; Matthew 5:43-48

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Allah is the source of Love

Allah is love, and Allah is a mystery. His ways are far beyond us, but He still reaches out to us. Allah is infinite yet intimate, all-knowing yet all-forgiving. We will spend eternity cherishing an ever-deepening relationship with Allah. Despite the distance sin demands, Allah has revealed Himself in countless ways. The Bible is the story of Allah striving to reconnect with His children, and is a major method Allah uses to reach us. The Bible reveals an Allah who is ever-creative, ever-patient and ever-seeking to restore our relationship with Him. Though written by ordinary people, through the Spirit it pierces our hearts, opens our eyes and convicts us to live for Him.

Allah reached out to us most dramatically through Isa Al Masih, who chose not just to visit us, but to become one of us. Born human so we can be reborn in the Spirit, Jesus showed us Allah’s love and character—and how far Allah was willing to go to save us from self-destruction. What we could not do for ourselves, He did for us, paying the price for our sins, dying in our place so we can live forever. He conquered death through resurrection, and promised to return to take us home.

Meanwhile, Allah has not left us alone. The Holy Spirit is here to comfort us, guide us and transform us to live as witnesses for Allah’s love. The same Spirit who inspired prophets and empowered Isa, who shaped scripture and created the world, enables and empowers each one of us.

What did Isa and the Injil Teach About When/How to Settle Disputes with a Friend or Neighbour?

Injil; Matthew 5:23-24

Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Sometimes we can say that we serve Allah but we have mistreated one of His children. Isa taught that when we come to worship Allah we should come with a clean conscience that we have done everything within our power to make things right when we have hurt someone. This does not mean that people will always be willing to accept us. They may still hate us but at least we have tried to do what was right.

Allah’s people should reflect Allah’s love and that’s why we should try to live at peace with all people.

Injil; 1 John 4:20

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

It’s a serious thing to hate someone. We can hate people’s mean and evil ways without hating them.

Injil; 1 John 3:15

“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The clear teaching of Isa and the Injil is that we are to harbor anger or hatred toward no one. We should have a true sense of Allah’s love and reflect it to others.

For further study:

1. Willingness to stand alone even if other people hate us: Injil; Luke 14:26

2. The love of Allah: Injil; 1 John 4:8

3. When people mistreat and hate us because we follow Allah: Injil; Matthew 5:10

What Does Isa Teach About Forgiveness?

Forgiveness goes with Allah like stars go with the Sky. Forgiveness is necessary to understand and apply in our own lives when we know we don’t deserve to be the forgiver.

Injil; Matthew 6:14-15

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

It is very important to remember this wisdom because often times we are not quick to forgive. But according to Isa, who reveals Allah’s character, we are to possess a forgiving spirit. Isa goes so far as to say that we should forgive our offender 70 x 7 (seventy times seven) - Injil; Matthew 18:21-22.