August 29, 2023 – How Should We Treat Our Enemies?
Matthew 5:44-46
Sermon: 2489 Learning to Stand for Jesus
Pray Over This
“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. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
Matthew 5:44-46
Ponder This
We are a peculiar people. As Christians, we are children of light. But the world is full of children of darkness. We live by the Spirit; they live in sin. We live by faith; they live by sight. We understand them; they do not understand us. So, what should you do when you’re persecuted? Surprisingly, Jesus said to release love to those who persecute us.
And this love is not mere sympathy; it means doing good. Notice Jesus said God makes it “rain on the just and the unjust.” Don’t say, “Well, I’m going to treat some people nicely because they’re good people, and other people wrongly because they persecute me.” Be like God and love them! Aren’t you glad God loves sinners? Where would we be if He didn’t love us? These people are blind. They don’t have life. They don’t understand. As a matter of fact, the Bible says in the Last Days those that kill us will think they do “God’s service.” (See John 16:2.) They are blind and need love; we need to treat them as God has treated us.
- How do you stand out from the culture around you?
- How do you typically treat people when they hurt you?
Practice This
Ask a friend to tell you honestly how you react when people hurt you. Consider what it would look like to release love instead.
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