THE MOST DIFFICULT KIND OF LOVE
(Matthew 5:43-48)
We live in a culture where hatred seems to be increasing, whether it be one political party against the other, or one team against their opponent, sometimes one country against another, one family member against another, one church or member of a church against another, etc. In Jesus’ day, enemies were those who would injure you, strike you, sue you, or compel you to go an extra mile with them (Matthew 5:38-41).
In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus calls us to love the very people we don’t want to, the people who it even hurts for us to love, because of what they’ve done to us. In this passage, Jesus teaches us about the most difficult kind of love—loving our enemies!
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'” (Matthew 5:43). Jesus doesn’t say “it is written,” but “you have heard that it was said” …. In other words, Christ is referring to the common misinterpretation of the law that had crept in over the years.
The Torah required Israelites to love their neighbors (Leviticus 19:18) and the foreigners in their land (Leviticus 19:33-34). However, in this passage, Jesus shows His Jewish audience what the real intent and goal of the law has been all along, just as He did with many other subjects.
Why is loving our enemies the most difficult kind of love?
1. Because it is contrary to human nature: It is a supernatural choice of the will (Mt. 5:44).
Jesus is saying that if we truly want to win a reward from the Lord, we must go above and beyond what is typical, expected, easy, or even natural for us to do! It is natural to hate our enemies, but Jesus commands us not only to love our enemies but also to pray for those who persecute us. Romans 5:8,10 tells us that it was while we were yet sinners—and therefore while we were still enemies of God—that He loved us. “But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
The supreme example of selfless love for His enemies, which previously included us, is the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that, “while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). And as He hung upon the cross, beholding the mocking throng of Jews and Romans, He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” The first step in loving our enemies is forgiving them.
2. Because it is without discrimination: It is active (Mt. 5:45).
God's love is a love that bestows good on all people impartially, whether they are good or evil. Theologians call this God’s common grace. He could cause rain to fall only on the righteous, but God bestows His favor without distinction on all people. He could, with justice, simply condemn all; instead, God shows repeated and prolonged love on all so that He offers salvation freely to everyone and takes no delight in seeing sinners suffering eternal death in Hell. (Ezekiel 33:11). Since God loves all sinners and longs for them to have eternal life, we also should be loving to people around us with this selfless kind of love. Furthermore, this means that we should love them enough to bring them the Gospel of salvation, which is the only thing that can save them from eternal death.
3. Because it does not seek to be loved back: It is unconditional (Mt. 5:46-47).
If you love and greet only those who love and greet you, you are no better than the despised tax collector or even a Gentile (heathen), and you will lose your reward. For a Jew, it was a virtue to despise and shun both classes of people. However, as children of our Heavenly Father, we have been given a new divine nature and a new potential of love which is operational through the Holy Spirit. So, see people, greet people, and love people as Jesus does!
4. Because it will cost you: It is sacrificial (Mt. 5:48).
In Matthew 5:48, Jesus continues to set the high standard that He taught throughout His sermon. “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. The literal interpretation is likely what Jesus intended. We are called to be absolutely perfect, matching the perfection of our heavenly Father. Every aspect of our being should align with God’s ways, including our deepest thoughts. The Greek word used, teleios (perfect), conveys a sense of maturity, completeness, or attaining a goal. In this context, the goal is to meet God’s righteous standard. Jesus is the only One who has lived a perfect life, and it is through Him that we meet God’s standard. Rather than trying to earn righteousness, which we can’t do, we are declared righteous because of Christ (Second Corinthians 5:21). Because we are made perfect through Christ, we should make every effort, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live accordingly, even to the extent of loving our enemies. Though we are not perfect experientially, we should be striving progressively toward that end.
How should I respond to an enemy today?
Cleanse your conscience with God (confess if you have an unloving spirit) and with man (ask for forgiveness for being unloving).
Greet them warmly (Matthew 5:47).
Pray for them.
Send that person God’s love through a card, telephone call, visit, etc.
Look for opportunities to do good for them. (Romans 12:17-21)
