Matthew 5: 43-44

“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.‘”

Matthew 5: 43-44 

The word used here for love is the strongest form of love in the Greek language. It is a moving, selfless, sacrificial form of love that leads to action. This form of love cannot be acted upon in our selfish, sinful, natural state but rather it is the Lord’s work in us and through us by His Spirit. Jesus tells us when someone curses, you bless them; when someone hates you, do good towards them; when someone uses you or persecutes you, pray for them. Why? It’s because we are to reflect God’s love towards those around us.

Remember He loved us while we were in rebellion to Him, dead in our sins, yet He still came and died for us (Romans 5:8). If Jesus loved us when we didn’t deserve it, who are we to disobey God’s command to love our enemies? In doing so, we reflect the nature of our God. In a world that is divided and lacks biblical love, may we be moved to show those who we disagree with what love is by the standard of the God that we serve. 

For His Kingdom, 

Alex Alfaro