Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)
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.
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My Notes:
If I truly live as this chapter describes, and I do so shining brightly and seen by others, I will have people who will oppose me.
A disciple is not above his Rabbi.
I must not judge myself by the ordinary and common. God has not called me to live as expected. This chapter is radical and extraordinary. I will live extraordinarily.
To love those who would oppose me for living as Jesus calls me to live, and to love actively and measurably is extraordinary.
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This is the first mention of love in the Sermon on the Mount. Our love is measured by how we love those who do not love us.
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Father, make me a vessel of your love so extraordinarily filled that when I am pressed, it would be your love that flows out of me.
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