Matthew 5:43-48
[43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? [48] You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Go through the passage and note anything that blesses you, challenges you, or raises questions.
Head: How should Christians be different from non-believers? (v.46-47)
Heart: Do you want your heart to be more like God's heart?
Hands: Think of someone that you do not like, and reflect on how you can pray for them?
It's not easy being a Christian. There are unimaginable blessings that Christ has poured out on you and will continue to do so. There is also a calling to grow to be more and more like Jesus in heart and action. Just as God loved us while we were still His enemies, Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for them.
The incredible thing is that as we love others like Christ loved us, we will see people change around us, for love covers over a multitude of sins. Also, when we love others unconditionally, we gain a deeper understanding and experience of Jesus' love for us.
So keep getting to seek God heart and to know it more. Then prayerfully ask Him to grow you more to be like Him. Finally, make every effort to shape your life to fulfill that calling. As you do, not only will you be a blessing to others, becoming more like Christ will be the greatest blessing to you!
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Devotional Guide:
1) Pray for understanding in your mind, for trust in your heart, and for powerful obedience in your daily living.
2) Read the passage and mark anything that blesses you, challenges you, or raises a question.
3) Reflect on the passage. What's God saying about Himself? What's God saying about you?
4) Pray in response to what God puts on your heart through the Word.