Last week – no retribution or retaliation – examples
Very challenging verses
Do not have a vindictive spirit – love
This week the bar is even higher
Reading Matthew 5:43-48
Overview:
What we cannot do
What we are called to do and how to do it
What we cannot do
What can we not do?
Be perfect (v48)
Try to be like God
Loving and merciful
Have a love like God’s love – towards all
Love those that persecute you
Pray for them
Bless them
Love your enemies (v44)
Those that have hurt you
Not just enough to get over things or put it in the past
To do good to them and to pray for them
These are not natural or easy things
Human nature is hard to overcome
Examples
Jesus teaching is very challenging
‘You have heard it was said … but I say to you’
Examples
Jesus teaches the spirit of the law – not just the letter of the law taught by the Pharisees
However the Pharisees were teaching a distortion of the Old Testament – to love their neighbour and hate their enemy
The Old Testament did not teach ‘hate your enemy’
Explanation
Jesus makes clear we should pray for our enemies
It was expedient for the Pharisees to teach hate your enemies – explanation
Old Testament teaching:
Prov 25:21 – "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink"
Quoted by Paul in Rom 12:20
Ex 23:4 – "If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again"
Lev 19:17-18 – "You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord."
Also advised to love the stranger – not to limit love Lev 19:34
Not told to love yourself – we naturally do this
The law of God tells us to love our neighbour as ourself
Jesus goes beyond this telling us to love our enemies
Do we consider this an impossibly high ideal?
It is – naturally we cannot fulfil this
Example of Jonah
Jesus’ teaching has two effects:
It repels the hypocrites – the Pharisees
It attracts sinners
Example of the lady in Luke 7:36-50
Those who are forgiven much should love much
What we are called to do and how to do it
Three examples to do with attitude, speech, actions and prayers – explanation
Example of Billy Bray
Example of Corrie ten Boom
The greatest example of Jesus on the cross
Rom 5:8 – Christ died for us whilst we were still sinners
Our sins will be fully forgiven – if we trust in Jesus, if we repent of our sin, if we trust in Him as our Lord and Saviour
Try to emulate God in holiness and perfection – ask for cleansing and forgiveness
The Father will receive you home – come back to Him
We are called to obey these commands
Example of Chet Bitterman
Example of Russell Stendal
We are to reflect the nature of our heavenly Father (v45-47)
Quote from CH Spurgeon
God provides common grace for all
People are often ‘tribal’
The Church of Jesus Christ – inclusive
We are to love unconditionally
Examples
This does not mean there is no frank conversation or justice
What is the attitude of our heart?
May God help us to be like Him
May God’s love be poured out in our heart by the Holy Spirit
