Matthew 5:43-48

Loving Your Enemy ~

As Christians we are called to be light & salt.  However, how can you accomplish that calling if you only treat those you like with respect & love?  That's how the world works, but we are called to be something more. 

Love your enemy, treat them the way you want to be treated, PRAY for them.  Once again this is about your motivation & a deep understanding that others are more important than yourself.  We are not to be self-centered, we are to be God-centered.  God didn't hold back His love for us.  Even as we spit in His face He is calling us home.  He is reaching out to us.  He has made a way for us.  We are to reflect His perfect way. 

That last verse - be perfect.  Wow, that's quite the calling.  How can we be perfect?  Well, my Study Bible gives some pointers, let's take a look at them:

1.  In character - aspire to be as much like Christ as possible. 
2.  In holiness - Devote yourself to God's desires rather than your own.  Carry His love & mercy to the world.
3.  In maturity - God expects different behavior depending on our stage of spiritual development.  A new Christian is bound to make more mistakes than a mature Christian simply because of their experience & knowledge.
4.  In love - seek to love others as completely as God loves us.

Remember - it all comes down to motivation.  You can do all the right things for all the wrong reasons.  Perfection takes time & thoughtfulness.  So, slow down & really think before you do something.  Are we perfect now?  Absolutely not, but as we draw closer to Him, as we put into practice His ways above our own ways - we will step closer & closet to His perfection.