Matthew 5:44

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ~ Matthew 5:44


Our world tells us to “get even”, it’s the old “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” belief. If you offend me, you will see what I can and will do to you. If you are my enemy, I will be yours. The love of Jesus is countercultural always, and here in his sermon on the mount he tells his listeners many things that did not belong in the world in which they lived. They do, however, belong in the kingdom of God, and that is what makes the difference. There are many proverbs which state differently as well. For instance, Proverbs 25:21, 22 states, “If you enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” And if you use your language against your enemy, here is a verse which will reverse what your enemy thinks of you: “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but cutting words wound and maim” (Proverbs 15:4 The Message). Instead, Jesus tells us it is better to pray for them. It may not change them, but it surely will change you. We do not always know the background lives of people who would rather desire to be an “enemy”. Often, they have had difficult lives and find it hard to trust and care for others as they themselves have not been trusted and cared for. We always have a choice in how we grow out of our background, and, it takes hard work, but I know through Christ with his grace and power it can be done. So, wherever you have come from, make the choice not to be an enemy, and if you have one, lift them up in prayer and let God deal with them, and with you. Love overcomes all things!

Pastor Julia

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