+1 I missed you...
That last quote had me thinking recently... If their is a group chosen out of the world to be hated for loving God, could they love their own/ each other and not have it be love from the world? I hope that makes sense.
Yes and no, I explain:
Love ourselves, not that, because Jesus said in Matthew 16:24:
Then Jesus said to his disciples: If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
it means we should not love ourselves.
As for loving one another, yes, it is what we must do, it is a commandment:
Saint John 13:34 says:
A new commandment I give you: that you love one another: as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
We must love each other, that is what we must do.
Also, even if the world hates us (Saint John 15:18-19) we must love the people of the world, without loving sin, even if they hurt us, Jesus says that in Matthew 5:43-44
43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy.
44 But I say to you: Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you;
I hope that answers your question dear Jesters, if not, just tell me, and I'll try to give you another answer, your question doesn't bother me.
I was suggesting each other and not ourselves.. so yeah that answers about what I knew. It is easy to read the 'world hates you' quote and justify misdeeds done upon us, but it may also cast doubt if those around us love us. It may make one think that they are 'of the world' and shun a genuine love shared between each other to be "closer" to God. Discerning our own character and attitude towards the Lord should rid us of this doubt and help us determine whether those that 'love' us do so with schemes in their hearts or because of a Greater Love.
I thank you for your response. Good Skill & Good Light, Transcender Clint Barton.