He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter. Sometimes, in our weak... Technologies, information, products, they all change faster and faster and every one is worried, fearing that they will not get ahead. And we would mean it But think of what happens when someone releases a curse word. Emphasis the words “You have heard…” and “But I say to you…” so the children hear the point that Jesus wants to make regarding how He wants us to respond to our enemies. Matthew 5:44-45. Persecute - See the notes at Matthew 5:10. Sometimes you feel rage and anger towards certain situations but if you are a true child of God you will understand that the anger only attracts more anger. A wonderful blessing is that of having a family... a. (Matthew 5:44-45) Reflection. Is responding to our enemies like Jesus says easy? God does not love those who do good to Him, who deserve His love. 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation. Take a moment to reflect on Matthew 5:44-45. War has never solved man's problems, and God promises that those who live by violence will die by it (Matthew 26:52).Christians must treat others with kindness, gentleness, and love (Luke 6:31; Galatians 5:14-15). In both later instances, the phrase is central to what Jesus thinks about the entire Law of God. Even the two brochures written almost immediately after the adoption of the three points by the Christian Reformed Church contain no additional Scriptural proof for the point we are discussing. Even though it may hard to forgive because the pain that we have suffered is still present, pray for the other person that harmed you and you will realize that your heart will heal and you will be able to forgive them. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary. SCRIPTURE - Matthew 5:44-45 - Jesus said, "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." It sounds like passivity in the face of evil. When you read the whole passage Matthew 5:43–48, the verse people argue about the meaning is Verse 48. How can anyone who understands English ask what this verse means!? In this time of Lent, the Church emphasizes more than ever the command: "In a word, you must be made perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48). (5:44-45) In other words, do good to your enemies -- anyone can love friends. Reinforce the lesson by asking questions. Matthew 5:43-48 “Love your neighbor” (5:43) is central to Jesus’ teaching and he will repeat it on two other occasions in Matthew (19:19; 22:39). (Matthew 5: 44-45; Matthew 13:24-43). 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. —MATTHEW 5:44–45. If one of you were to sneeze right now, what would likely happen? God alone has the wisdom and power and the right to take vengeance. Jesus says, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44–45). The Lord invites you to stand firm and pray, and observe how your bravery will infect the others. There’s nothing esoteric here. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Message us on Facebook and start reading the first versicle we've selected just for you, along with a beautiful, thoughtful reflection. Probably a whole chorus of us would say in unison, "Bless you!" plot to overthrow him. but inwardly they curse. –Matthew 5:45. As he says to one inquiring lawyer, “On these two commandments (i.e., love God; love neighbor) hang all the law and the prophets” (22:40). Theologians since Calvin have related God's love in Matthew 5:44-45 to his "common grace" (i.e., the gracious favor God bestows "commonly," without distinction, on all men). Further, Matthew 5:44, 45, Luke 6:35, 36 and Acts 14:16, 17 are all very similar, and the correct interpretation of one will give us the correct interpretation of the others.. 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians. When I was younger, I understood Jesus’ command to love my enemies as a strange one, but I went along with it because it didn’t seem that hard. Matthew Mark Luke John Acts of Apostles Romans 1 Corinthians. Because of that, ask the Lord that your eyes may see the best in people, that your heart may forgive, that your mind may forget the harm your enemies have done you, and that your soul may never lose faith in Him. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. One Bread, One Body - Reflection for March 3, 2012 LOVE YOUR ENEMIES "My command to you is: love your enemies, pray for your persecutors. Selah, And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. What shall we then say to these things? Does Jesus believe we can treat our enemies like He is telling us? Can you kill an enemy, even in self-defense, and still love him? Blessed is the one that trusts in the Lord, © 2021, All rights reserved - Privacy Policy. That is the point here established for our emulation, not that God's love is amoral or without any distinctions whatsoever. If God be for us, who can be against us, And the Lord , he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Prof. Herman C. Hanko on Matthew 5:44-45 (I) [Source: Covenant Reformed Fellowship News, vol. 2, nos. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. C. S. Lewis wrote, “Do not waste your time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. Why should God? Reflection Help me to be forgiven. British writer and Christian apologist G.K. Chesterton has offered us a sardonic springboard for reflection on today’s gospel passage when he wrote, “The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.” Regarding war, Exodus 14:14 says, "The L ORD will fight for you." Share this reading. First Week of Advent – Reflections on Love 11.29 The Spirit of True Christianity, Philippians 4:4-9 11.30 Only Love Disarms Matthew 5:44-45 12.1 The Thing We Live By Galatians 5:13-15 12. Today’s Gospel is probably one of the toughest to live out. "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW" The Family Of Jesus (12:46-50) INTRODUCTION 1. Can you legally execute even a convicted murderer and still love him? (Read full chapter They delight in lies; Read (and Recap) Matthew 5:38-48. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing." Activity | Ages over 18. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. As God's children we must trust in Him because no one tears down what God lifts up, no one defeats those God protects, no one curses those God blesses, and no one shames those who God backs. Matthew 5:44, the forty-fourth verse in the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, also found in Luke 6:27–36, is part of the Sermon on the Mount.This is the second verse of the final antithesis, that on the commandment to Love thy neighbour as thyself.Jesus has just stated that some had taught that one should "hate your enemies" and in this verse he rejects this view. they bless with their mouths, A source of love and acceptance b. "Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. But it is always a reflection in our lives of God’s love for us, undeserving sinners. Brother with the help of God nothing is impossible. Would mean it but think of what happens when someone releases a curse word abundantly pours forth and overwhelming! 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