Matthew 5:33-48

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

Keywords 5:44

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

 

1. Love your enemies

Jesus shares some of his most difficult teachings here. Who can turn the other cheek or love their enemy? Love is not a warm and fuzzy feeling that just falls into one’s lap. Love takes effort. Love is hard. Enemies are but human labels we create for those we want to fight or hide from and not love. But God loved us even while we were still sinners. We can begin to love when we know God’s love for us.

 

2. Be perfect (48)

What does it mean to be perfect? What if it is not something to attain, but something that comes by faith? God—who is perfect—loves you, and even more than you could ever imagine. How would you live if you grew more and more in the knowledge and faith of God’s love for you? How about knowing that this same love extends to everyone?

 

Prayer Lord, you are perfect and created us in your image and in your love. May we live and grow in your love and love others in the same way.

One Word God is love