Loving with God's Kind of Love

A Living Faith
What is Faith?
Faith Inspires Gratitude

Matthew 5:43-48

The Message

^43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
⁴⁸ “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

For Reflection

What does it mean to love your enemies?  Who are your enemies? Who or what seduces you away from a righteous path?  When you are in faith with God what can harm you, of what do you have to be afraid?

Pray

that living in the midst of enemies will not seduce you away from the God-self which resides within you.  Pray that you avoid the downward spiral of hate and vengeance.  Wipe the slate clean each day in prayer.