In a world where love often feels conditional and selective, the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:43-48 challenge us to live differently, to love differently. He calls us to a higher standard, one that transcends human expectations and reflects the very heart of God.
“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…” (Matthew 5:43-44).
At first glance, this command seems impossible. Love our enemies? Bless those who curse us? Why would we even consider doing good to those who hate us? Yet, this is the essence of Christ’s love—a love that breaks the boundaries of human understanding. It goes beyond loving those who are easy to love, those who love us in return. Jesus calls us to love those who oppose us, mistreat us, and even persecute us.
The Heart of the Gospel: Unconditional Love
What Jesus describes is not a passive, indifferent love but an active and intentional love. It’s the kind of love that seeks to bless rather than retaliate. When we love our enemies, we reflect the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father, who makes the sun rise on both the just and the unjust. God doesn’t withhold His blessings from those who reject Him; He shows grace to all.
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” (Matthew 5:46).
Jesus reminds us that loving those who love us is easy. Even those who don’t follow Him can manage that. But as followers of Christ, we are called to a deeper love—a love that goes beyond human limitations. It’s a love that costs something, a love that pushes us to step out of our comfort zones, and a love that reflects the sacrificial nature of the cross.
The Call to Perfection
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48).
This perfection isn’t about being flawless but about being complete, mature in love. Just as God loves without partiality, we are called to do the same. His love is our example, and we are invited to grow in that love, extending grace even to those who may not deserve it in the eyes of the world.
How Can We Love Like This?
Loving our enemies isn’t easy. It’s not something we can muster up on our own. It requires the grace of God, the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and a deep understanding of the love that Christ has shown us. When we remember that we were once enemies of God, saved by His grace, it becomes possible to extend that same grace to others.
Here are a few practical steps to help us walk in this kind of love:
1. Pray for Your Enemies: Jesus specifically calls us to pray for those who mistreat us. Prayer softens our hearts and shifts our perspective, helping us see others as God sees them.
2. Choose to Forgive: Forgiveness is key to loving our enemies. It releases us from the bondage of bitterness and allows God’s love to flow through us.
3. Do Good: Look for opportunities to bless those who have hurt you. A kind word, a helpful gesture, or even a simple smile can be a powerful witness of Christ’s love.
4. Reflect on God’s Love for You: The more we meditate on the love of God and how He has loved us in our brokenness, the more we are able to extend that love to others.
The Reward of Love
There is a reward in loving beyond what is expected. Not necessarily a worldly reward, but a deep, spiritual fulfillment. We become more like Christ. We reflect His heart in a broken world. And ultimately, we glorify our Father in heaven by living out His love.
So, let us strive to love as Jesus loved. Let us be kind to the unkind, gracious to the ungracious, and loving to those who seem unlovable. In doing so, we will not only transform our relationships but also point others to the One who first loved us.
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Let us pursue this perfection, not in our strength, but in the power of the love of Christ that has been poured into our hearts.
The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella
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