Matthew 5:43-48 Lexham English Bible (LEB)
The Sermon on the Mount: Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’[a] and ‘Hate your enemy.’[b] 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, because he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not the tax collectors also do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing that is remarkable? Do not the Gentiles also do the same? 48 Therefore you be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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I've been thinking about this trying to relate this to the actions of Jesus. Jesus had many run-ins with the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. Many of them wanted to end His life and silence Him. He often had strong words to say to them. So I thought, "How does this show Jesus' love to them?"
I think it is much like parents with their children. Sometimes we as parents get so frustrated with our children we just want to pull our hair out but we still love them. It is exposing their wrongdoings in hopes of them changing and coming to the light (Jesus). Wickedness should be exposed, not wishing for bad things to happen to those doing it but because it's the only hope for change in them. As long as wickedness and wrongdoing is hidden, it will continue.
I think part of this too is not to Hate our enemies because hate makes us want to retaliate for their wrongdoings to us. God says that vengeance is His.
Deuteronomy 32:35-37 Common English Bible (CEB)
35 Revenge is my domain, so is punishment-in-kind,
at the exact moment their step slips up,
because the day of their destruction is just around the corner;
their final destiny is speeding on its way!
36 But the Lord will acquit his people,
will have compassion on those who serve him,
once he sees that their strength is all gone,
that both prisoners and free people are wiped out.[a]
37 The Lord will ask, “Where are their gods—
the rocks they trusted in—
at the exact moment their step slips up,
because the day of their destruction is just around the corner;
their final destiny is speeding on its way!
36 But the Lord will acquit his people,
will have compassion on those who serve him,
once he sees that their strength is all gone,
that both prisoners and free people are wiped out.[a]
37 The Lord will ask, “Where are their gods—
the rocks they trusted in—
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Something else to think about, something I have to keep reminding myself of, is that our battles or struggles are not with flesh and blood.
Ephesians 6:10-12 New International Version (NIV)
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 Common English Bible (CEB)
3 Although we live in the world, we don’t fight our battles with human methods. 4 Our weapons that we fight with aren’t human, but instead they are powered by God for the destruction of fortresses. They destroy arguments,
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Lexham English Bible (LEB)
Paul’s Prayer Request
3 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may progress and be honored, just as also it was with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from evil and wicked people, for not all have the faith[a]. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are both doing and you will do the things that we are commanding. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and toward the patient endurance of Christ.
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