Everyone knows that as followers of Jesus we are called to love others.  My experience is that usually we do a pretty good job at loving our friends and families.  Obviously we all face challenges with this and as sinners we all fall short.  How do we do loving our enemies or those that we don’t agree with or even like?  That is probably a better test of how well we are loving others.  Jesus issues us all a challenge in this area in His sermon on the mount.  Let’s look at it together today. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 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 children 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? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

It’s easy to look at verse 48 and simply say well we can’t be perfect so Jesus is just saying all of this to show us our need for Him.  While that statement is true it is also true that Jesus is calling us to love others in a way that is different from how the world typically shows love.  Jesus showed us this in how He loved Judas, those who were calling for His crucifixion, and many others during His time on earth.  Romans 5:8 reminds us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  In other words while we were actively rebelling against Jesus, He went to the cross for us.  There is no greater act of love.  We are called to love those who are not showing love to us just as we are called to love our closest friends.  I pray that today and every day God might grant us grace to love those that are difficult for us to love. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave