Living 4 Him

“Love your enemies.  Pray for those who persecute you.”  Matthew 5: 44

As we look at another section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17
-48), let’s imagine ourselves on the hillside, gathered with others, listening to the teaching.  As he talks about the law that we have known and followed for years, we hear his views of the laws from a different angle.  Upon reaching the words quoted above, we understand love is the law holding all of the others.

As Jesus speaks of loving our enemies, he tells us that as children of God, we are to love like God who “causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (vs. 45), reminding us if we only love those who love us back it means we miss an opportunity for a spiritual reward and to become “perfect as our Father is perfect.” (vs. 48)

Jesus tells his listeners that murder is not acceptable along with the anger that provoked the murder.  And being married isn’t just enough; but cultivating a loving relationship is above all.  In speaking about anger, lust, and revenge, Jesus shows us how love makes the difference.  If we keep love as the law that governs our hearts, our perspectives will shift from hurting to healing. 

Instead of anger, our hearts will be empathetic toward another, seeking resolution over conflict. Forgiveness, a close cousin of love, leads us to let go and make room for even more love. 

Instead of lust, the love we feel for others helps us to admire them as children of God, respected and honored with kindness.  Though temptations come, love is more powerful and protects us from poor decisions. 

Instead of revenge, love guides us to be more merciful, more giving, more like our Father, who gave Himself for us.  Though strong emotions exist in our world, God stands by sending his love into our souls for us to share with others.

Love makes all the difference. . . . in the way we see things, in the way we handle things, in the way situations develop. 

When I was teaching first grade, I had a book I loved to read every February as we focused more deeply on friendship.  The book, Animal BFF’s: 12 Tales of Friendship relays true stories of very unlikely friendships between animals: a lion and a dachsund, a giraffe and a goat, a pig and a monkey.  The common thread showcased in each story surfaced animals who were injured, abandoned, or orphaned, and the animal they were introduced to filled a need for them.  The animals responded to each other with love, and love was all they needed to nurture their friendship.  The dachsund and lion cuddling together, the giraffe following the goat, and the monkey riding on the back of the pig!  Love made the difference. 

Love makes the difference for us, too.  When love is reigning supreme in our hearts, we respond like God would; giving of ourselves to every child of God.

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  Read Matthew 5: 17-48 over the next few days and discover the ways that love makes the difference in each topic.

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world): As you move among others in the world, observe how love makes the difference in situations you encounter.  Be the love that makes a difference for someone else this week.