Human beings are born with the capacity to love, but are constantly living under the shadow of hate. This is true for the whole human race, and particularly true for the Chinese people.

For past three thousand years, Chinese philosophers have talked about love, such as Confucius’ benevolent love, Moze’s universal love, and the love of comrades in the recent civil revolution. Yet studying the records of history, we can only find hatred and vengeance every time power changed hands. The whole of Chinese history is filled with chapter after chapter of conspiracy, power struggle and revenge. Older generations planted seeds of hatred in the hearts of the younger generations. The most rousing songs in China were influenced by aspiration for revenge. Lyrics such as, "Repay the debt of blood with blood" and "hatred planted in hearts is about to sprout" are common.

Jeson’s article reminded us that the foundation of today’s Chinese culture was based on hatred. Popular slogans are: Denounce those westerners who are hostile towards the Chinese; severely persecute the dissidents; never forget the atrocities committed by the Japanese. Even the general public are constantly "eyeing" one another. Moreover, building up the country economically and militarily is for the purpose of "not falling behind nor being bullied." This kind of narrow-minded patriotism is based on self-centered love and hatred toward others.

I am not a commentator analyzing what happened in the world, just pointing out the hereditary nature of a culture. We the Chinese are used to living under animosity, living together in mutual distrust, and trying to strive while gritting our teeth. We tend to forget we reap what we sow. Irrespective of whether the motivation is patriotic, for the sake of the Party, or for any other reason, if what we sow is hatred, we shall reap hatred in the end.

Hatred is never be able to comprehend true love. Yet true love is the only solution for hatred. The Bible tells us that true love is from God. Any love that does not spring from the love of God may become the source of hatred. For instance, we love our family, our parents, wife and children. This is natural love. However, all through history, some of the deepest hatred can be traced to these kinds of love. The deeper the love, the longer the hatred will last.

We all love our country. This is also a natural kind of love. However, we can tell from world history, numerous wars and battles among nations and tribes were started by this kind of love. The deeper the love, the more fearless the killing.

It is only natural for us to love ourselves, our friends and those we deem dear. But this is conditional love. It has its conditions and defined boundaries. Within the boundaries it is love. Beyond the boundaries it becomes hate. Overall speaking concerning the whole human race, whether it is love for our country, family, friends or self, they all originate from our selfish desire. Individual love brings individual hatred and detriment to individuals. Similarly, the same applies to the scope of the family and the nation. Therefore, Jesus commanded us to love God with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, and all our strength. Not only loving God more than loving ourselves, but also more than loving our family, parents, wife, children and even our country and the world. Only when our love transcends all these worldly loves will we be able to avoid worldly hatred.

Philosophers in the past recognized the limits of self-centered love. Teachings like loving others as ourselves, loving other elderly people as our own elders, loving others' young as loving our own young, were promoted. However, although it all sounded good on paper, in reality it is only natural for us to draw a line between our own family and another family. In this area Confucianism failed to provide a solution.

Jesus taught us to love God first, and then we will be able to love others as ourselves. Why? It is simple. Take a family for example. Brothers and sisters are born of the same parents and they live and grow up together, so their love for one another is strong. Their hearts are connected. If human beings are to love one another like brothers and sisters, their love needs to transcend all the differences that come with race, nationality, or parties and ideologies. Is that possible? Yes, by being born in the same family.

Indeed, in God this is possible. When we came to know God, we realized that we are all from Him, our common heavenly Father. We are in one big family and we are brothers and sisters. Not only do we live together in the same house, -- this earth created by our Father, but we also have inherited His image and His spirit. We grow up together in His teachings and share joy and peace from the same Spirit. In His family He teaches us to love one another. Truly, in Him we discover that we are brothers and sisters in the same family.

Growing up in a humanistic society, I searched for truth all my life. Unexpectedly, I ran into my heavenly Father’s love. Suddenly I came to realize -- we were born with love and only our Heavenly Father can perfect this love.

Even though people do not want to acknowledge their common heavenly Father, He still waits for them and forebears with His mighty love. Although the Chinese people have departed from the Way, the heavenly Father has not forsaken His children on this vast piece of land.

Oh Father! You have not demanded that we pay anything for your love. But in your love you have given us Jesus as a sacrifice, an example, as a servant for mankind and the king of love. Those who do not accept your love pay a great price, which is to live in hatred. Oh Father, please forgive their ignorance and arrogance. With your great patience, please wait for the repentance of this largest flock of sheep who have gone astray. With the staff of your Holy Spirit, call those who are thirsty for your love to come home. Then we shall call you "Abba Father" and we shall love one another as brothers and sisters forever. Amen!

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Mr. Yuan is an editor and research staff of Overseas Campus Magazine.