Its hard enough nowadays to just love the people you’re supposed to love.
Posted on 04/30/2022 4:35:23 PM PDT by metmom
“‘But I say to you, love your enemies’” (Matthew 5:44).
People tend to base love on the attractiveness and likeability of the one loved. They love the so-called beautiful people, enjoyable activities, nice houses, and sharp cars. That list could go on, but Jesus’ kind of love is need oriented. In His parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:29, 36–37), the Samaritan showed tremendous love because he sacrificed his own convenience, safety, and finances to help a desperately needy man.
The love our Lord sets forth here is translated from the Greek agape-, the noblest and best New Testament love. It is the form of love that strives to meet another’s utmost welfare. Such love may involve emotion, but it must involve action. Like every aspect of righteousness, love originates in the regenerate heart, but it shows its fullest potential by what it does. More than anything, this kind of love is the love God is, expresses, and provides (Rom. 5:5, 8; 1 John 4:7–12), which allows us to love as He loved.
When Christ told His apostles, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you” (John 13:34), He had just washed their feet as an example of agape- love. The apostles were self-centered, quarrelsome, envious of one another, and even sometimes challenged the Lord. Yet Jesus always did for them what was for their good. And this is how He wants all of us who claim to follow Him to show love—even for our enemies.
Ask Yourself
Few biblical mandates are more unnatural to our desires and experiences, but few make us a more sterling example of the difference Christ makes in an ordinary individual’s life. If you are currently dealing with situations that call for this kind of love, how do you intend to express it?
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
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Its hard enough nowadays to just love the people you’re supposed to love.
Thanks for posting. John MacArthur always has something insightful to say. And you can’t go wrong when starting a discussion with a quote from the Book of Matthew.
Jesus was not an idiot... I have always assumed that idea was either mistranslated or there was some sort of unstated assumption involved. A real enemy is somebody who either wants you dead or wants you to be in worse shape than you are at present...
True.
I presume you realize that loving people is not just about feelings, but rather about actions.
You can show love to others even if you don’t feel like it.
After telling us to love our enemies, He does give some suggestions on how to do that.
Just dusted off my
McArthur Study Bible.
The “Holy Fire” in the book
of Acts was the reason.
.
Love Your Enemies
Will be another,
Thanks!
> But I say to you, love your enemies’” (Matthew 5:44) <
I’m of the opinion that Jesus meant exactly what he said there. Love your enemies, period.
But it is worth noting that Jesus also said “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and gentle as doves.” (Matthew 10:16).
Jesus did not only say to be gentle. That can get you into a lot of trouble when dealing with wolves! He also said to be wise - in other words, don’t be foolish.
Amen.
Its hard enough nowadays to just love the people you’re supposed to love.
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