Matthew 5:43-45
Love Your Enemies
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Application:

God’s law commanded you to love your neighbor (see Lev 19:18). However, the natural conclusion for many Jews was that they could hate their enemy (Matthew 5:43). 

Jesus turned that thinking upside down. Instead, he said, you must love your enemies (5:44). This love simply reflects the character of your Father in heaven. It reminds us that God doesn’t extend kindness only to believers; he offers common grace to all, meaning there are specific blessings he bestows upon everyone. For example, he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good (5:45). You don’t have to be a Christian to feel the sunshine or breathe oxygen.

Jesus expects his disciples’ behavior to stand out in a sinful world. Even wicked individuals will look for those who look out for them (5:46). So, if you love only those in your circle who love you, what are you doing that is extraordinary? (5:47).

“To be perfect as God is perfect (5:48) does not imply being sinless; instead, it signifies loving others—in the power of the Holy Spirit—by seeking their best interests as a reflection of God’s character. This includes doing so even for people you may not like.” 

Loving your neighbor doesn’t mean having warm and fuzzy feelings for him; it involves seeking his well-being.

Paul wrote in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” As long as it depends on us, we must pursue peace and offer grace. Not everyone will accept that peace, so you must let them go. 

Ref: Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 873–874.

To God, be the glory!

Our Lord Jesus Christ created everything! By Him, For Him!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-25

Disclaimer

When God inspires me, I write blogs. Consider this writing as a Bible study. Like the Bereans In Acts 17:11, search the Scriptures to determine whether what I write is so. Always consult with your church ministers about biblical matters. I am also not a professional writer, so some grammar or spelling errors may be. I try my best to write as efficiently as possible. Your brother, In-Christ, Ricardo

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