“You have heard that it was
said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons
of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His
sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain
on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew
5:43-45). The Pharisees taught
the people to hate the enemies of Israel.
The implication was that this hatred was
God’s means of judging their enemies.
Jesus taught the people just the opposite.
“Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you.
The Christian is to love others
as God loves them. This is God’s
standard of love. God doesn’t
have to love us. He loves us
because He chooses to love; it’s only by His grace.
He loves us while we were alienated from Him
as His enemies. The sinful mind is hostile toward
God.
Jesus Christ died for us while
we were enemies. He died for us
while we were helpless sinners (Romans 5:6-11;
5:8-9).
Christ died for the sinner, the
enemy; that is the full measure of God’s infinite
love. Have you come to know that
love by experience? God loves you
so much that He sent Jesus to die for you on the
cross.
Because we are the recipients
of this divine love, we are to love others as God
loves them. Jesus said, “Love
your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you”
(Matt. 5:44).
The only way anyone can love
with that kind of love is for Jesus Christ to be
working in your life because of His indwelling love
(Gal. 2:20).
Christian love is not a matter
of feeling the “right way” about another person.
Divine love is a matter of choice.
It is a function of the will.
Because it is something we do, it is always
possible and must always be expressed in Godly
actions. We can act upon what we
know to be the right thing to do.
The critical issue is
obedience. We can do the right
thing because God chose to send Jesus on our behalf.
We can behave in a manner that is kind and
loving even to those who despitefully use us and
persecute us.
The word “love” (agape) is in
emphatic contrast to “hate” in v. 43.
Love is commanded in v. 4.
“Love your enemies.”
People who persecute you are
the most difficult to love. Persecution is the acid
test of spiritual prosperity. We can demonstrate the
love of God by praying for those who persecute us.
It is impossible to continue to
hate another person in the presence of God. Pray for
the person you are tempted to hate and watch God at
work in your life. You cannot remain the same.
Jesus set the example for us by
praying for those who were crucifying Him. “Father,
forgive them for they do not know what they are
doing” (Luke 23:24).
The parable of the Good
Samaritan teaches us how to act as neighbors to all
men (Lk. 10:29ff).
Jesus defined our enemies as
those who curse us, hate us, and selfishly use us.
These are the very ones who need us to show
them love. He loved us when we
were His enemies.
Wouldn’t it have been utterly
amazing to watch Jesus in the midst of an intolerant
environment? Hatred was
everywhere! But Jesus chose to
love, and we can too.
Jesus went on to say in this
context, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your
heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).
The word “perfect’ does not imply “sinless
perfection” which is impossible in this life, but
completeness and maturity as God’s children. This
maturity is unattainable in our own strength.
It comes from God’s indwelling presence as we
obey His Word. We cannot love our
enemies in our own strength, but Christ will give us
the ability as we obey His command.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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