The Life and Ministry of Jesus
“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. Matthew 5:43–45
Matthew 5:45 suggests that our love “creates a climate” of blessings that makes it easy to win our enemies and make them our friends. Love is like the sunshine and rain that the Father sends so graciously. It is a testimony to others.
God expects us to live on a much higher plane than the lost people of the world who return good for good and evil for evil. As Christians, we must return good for evil as an investment of love. 1
Personal Encouragement
What are three practical ways that you can love those who despise you? (One way is to pray for them to be saved or repentant. This will keep your own heart from becoming embittered like theirs.) Now what are two others ways?
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35
To love your enemy is to love Jesus Christ.
A Prayer
Lord, thank You for demonstrating to the world the love You had for us, before we ever loved You.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
