Matthew 5:43-47
“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?”
Romans 12:9-10,14
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Devotion
Now we come to some difficult teaching by Jesus. Jesus is telling us that not only should we show self-control when it comes to retaliation, but we should actually “love” and “pray” for our enemies. Here Jesus is once again revealing the hatred that often permeates our hearts and causes us to view others from a worldly point of view. In the kingdom, the love of God reigns supreme! The issue here has to do with our identity. If we claim to be God’s children, then our lives should reflect God’s prevailing attribute: love! According to the Apostle John, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). Jesus instructs us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” In doing this, we will be known as God’s children. So, the simple kingdom principle found here is that we are to lavish the love of God on everyone: this means even our enemies.
God’s love is able to permeate even the hardest heart. When we don’t retaliate with hatred but love others the way God loves them, God is able to use this to bring conviction and begin the process of heart change. In Romans chapter twelve, Paul writes, “Love must be sincere.” If we identify with Christ, if we are children of God, then love must be evident in our lives. Love is the first attribute listed in the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians chapter five.
So, what does biblical love look like? In First Corinthians chapter thirteen, Paul writes, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” This is a pretty good description of what love looks like. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will obey what I have commanded you.” Love is not only an indicator of our relationship with Jesus, it is at the heart of the Law. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments this way: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Undiscriminating love will mark disciples as children of God, for children share the Father’s character. As hard as it sounds, Jesus was serious when He said, “Love your enemies.” The good news is that He not only modeled this, but He equips us to carry out His teachings. In our flesh this is impossible, but with God all things are possible!
Questions to Ponder:
Do you keep a mental record of those who have wronged you? What is your general posture toward those who oppose you? When it comes to your enemies, do you identify more with the spirit of retaliation or the spirit of reconciliation? Today, how will you be a blessing to someone who persecutes you?
Prayer Points
- Thank Him for trusting you to reflect Him and His heart of eternal love to all those around you.
- Confess times when you grieved the Spirit of God by disobedience. Repent from sins He reminds you of right now and receive His forgiveness.
- Pray that you would be known by your love. Pray for love to abound in and through us all and His word to run swiftly in and through us.
- Pray for the people who are hardest to love in your life right now. Ask God to move in your heart to love them with the love He’s shown you!
Suggested Prayer
Father of lights, I praise You that every good and perfect gift comes from You. I thank You for Your Holy Spirit that has sealed me and how He lives in me. Thank You that I am Your temple where You abide and dwell. Forgive me for my stubbornness and wanting to do things my own way, help me to yield to You Holy Spirit.
God You see I am poor in spirit and broken in so many ways, it amazes me that it’s Your pleasure to even dwell in me. Thank You that You tell me that when I am weak, You are strong and Your power is demonstrated in and through my weakness. God, I pray that out of Your glorious riches You would strengthen me right now with power through Your Holy Spirit in my inner man so that You may dwell in the center of my heart through faith.
Establish me in Your love that I may have power together with all the saints to reach out and take hold of You. Please fill me to the measure of all the fullness of You. ask in the powerful Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.