The Rebuild: Matthew 5-7Sample

It’s easy to love others until you are personally hurt by them. If you’ve been a Christian for a while, reading a section such as Matthew 5:43-48 can be a tough pill to swallow. Especially when you’re on the end of some really unjust behaviour. “Can I just try my best to not come into contact with them and be nice to others instead?” No. Jesus makes it clear that He wants us to love our enemies. Loving is not just a thought and emotion. It’s got to be an action!

As the world changes and our culture’s view of Christianity shifts, it is our behaviour which will set us apart. John Piper, a theologian, said, “I can display the worth of Jesus to the world by giving to the one who asks, by endangering myself to serve you. That should be our default response.” I challenge you today to make loving your enemies your default response. Of course, it won’t be easy! But, trust that God is powerful enough to do this work both in you and your enemy in order to bring glory to Himself. He can do it!

Today, ponder this: Why is it difficult to love our enemies and those who have wronged us? How does Jesus’ death on the cross for all, both ourselves and our enemies, shape how we respond to them?