Tag Archives: Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5- Love Your Enemies

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Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5:38-42

Those who don’t believe there was a shift from the Mosaic Covenant, would have a hard time explaining these scriptures. Under the Mosaic Law it was an Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a tooth,meaning there would be just consequences to evil actions. However the Religious leaders, like most things, abused this law, Jesus is giving us not only a correct interpretation of this Law, but Christ is taking this Law to a new level.

Under the Mosaic Law if someone struck you in the face, you had a right to strike them back. Jesus is saying “If someone strikes you in the face, turn your other cheek and let them strike you again” This teaching by Jesus sounds radical, it is because Jesus is trying to make a point! Love your enemies and resist evil, if only the world listened to the words of Christ

This all goes against our human nature, the world says “only the strong will survive” and “dog eat dog”, however in the end everyone is still condemned. Why? Because there is no salvation for your soul with Christ, as Jesus said “What does it profit you to gain the whole world, yet lose your soul “ (Mark 8:36)

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 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. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

 We always hear people saying “Love your Neighbor” , but are these same people also saying “Love your Enemies”? As Jesus taught us , it’s easy for us to love our families and friends even evil people do that. However, to try and love your enemies, takes everything to a new level. Bless them that curse you, pray for them that persecute you! If anyone thinks Christianity is easy, you don’t understand true Christianity

If you think it’s unfair for Jesus to demand this from us, remember while Christ was nailed to the cross he said “Father Forgive Them For they Know Not what they Do” (Luke 23:34) As Jesus said “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” Love your enemies and Love truly like Jesus Christ, Amen!

Luke 6- Love Your Enemies

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But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.Luke 6:27-31

If you think being a Christian is easy, think again! It’s easy to love your family or maybe even your neighbor, but to love your enemy is extremely difficult. Jesus even goes on to say “If someone strikes you on one side of the face, let them strike you on the other side”,  what!? This goes against our human nature, we don’t want anyone to get the best of us or to disrespect us! Now are we starting to see how difficult it is to be a Christian!

Jesus says “If anyone asks for something, give it to them, and don’t even expect it back in return” Often when we donate or lend something to someone, we expect something in return. We want recognition or repayment, we want everyone to pat us on the back for doing something good. We shouldn’t expect any of this, just give it away!

Jesus is setting the standard for Christian living, how many of us fall short of this lifestyle? Probably all of us , if were being honest, Lord have mercy on us! But this is the standard Christ has set for us, and we should strive to get to this standard that Jesus expects of us. “Do unto others as you would have them do to you”!

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:32-36

You say well I love my family and I’ll give to those who are worthy, but Jesus says so what! Even the unsaved love their families and even the unsaved give to charity, so why do you think your better than them? Christ is demanding a higher standard for us! Jesus delivered you from sin and death, so go the extra mile, carry your cross, and follow Christ!

Jesus says “Expect Nothing in return” , wow we should just love and give with no strings attached, imagine the concept. Christ died for us , even when we still were sinners and wicked (Romans 5:8)  Be merciful because God is merciful

So do you think its easy being a Christian now? No, this is why we need Jesus every moment, every minute, every second of our lives. Without the Holy Spirit we can do nothing to please God, go the extra mile, love those who even hate your guys, give to those who dont even deserve it, put all your faith and trust in Jesus Christ , Amen!