Context: Jesus has just selected his twelve apostles, and he is beginning the Sermon on the Mount. This passage follows the 'beattitudes'.
Text:
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Take a look at this week's reading, verse 15, in the Message version:
"It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society."
How well do we show the enemies of Christianity that Jesus died for them, too? For, if they think that Christians are a danger to the society, they are actually living in ignorance. Remember, ignorance is not stupidity, it is the absence of knowledge. It may sound simplistic, but if people believe that Christians are 'dangerous' to someones' way of life, they really don't understand that Jesus is trying to protect them from the lies of Satan (who tells them that everything they do is good, fun, and inclusive).
Is there someone who gets enjoyment out of making fun of your faith? Or maybe others who tend to stay away because they are afraid you might 'rub off' on them? With each good thing you do for them (including praying), it is possible that God is loosening the scales over their eyes (just as he did with Saul) so they may see the truth. The ignorance falls away and they can see glory of God.
What if we did something nice to those who have very different beliefs that we do? Loved those who are seeking love in all the wrong places? Did good to those who would be happy if we (Christians) just went away?
We may not be there when they realize Jesus is the only way to survive this life, but know that each good deed, each word of prayer, each word of encouragement brings them one step closer to God.
How can you help your 'enemy' better understand the grace of God today?
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