Day 52 – Love Your Enemies

Day 52

Sermon: Law of Love

Matthew 5:43-48

Our Scripture for today is, Matthew 5:43-48

[43] You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? 

[48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

From these verses, I call your attention to two amazing teachings. I call this article:

God’s Radical Call for Love

Teaching #1: Love your enemies.

Loving those who oppose you challenges you to reflect God’s unconditional love. It’s easy to love those who love us back, but true spiritual maturity is shown when we love those who stand against us. Jesus adds to this thought when he says, “Pray for your enemies.” Prayer for our persecutors not only seeks their well-being but also purifies our hearts, helping us release anger and embrace forgiveness. This act changes us, aligning our hearts closer to God’s nature. It causes us to examine the depth of our love.

Teaching #2: Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

At the end of this call to love and pray for our enemies is the little verse, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This teaching is not out of place here. It’s not about moral flawlessness but about striving for wholeness and integrity in our love for others. The call to perfection here is a call to complete and mature love, reflecting God’s character in our actions and attitudes. 

Lonnie Davis