Read Matthew 5:43-48
What Does PERFECT LOVE Look Like?
Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor [Leviticus 19:18], and hate your enemy [Deuteronomy 23:3-6]’ but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Once again, the Lord’s advice goes against everything the world teaches. Retaliate and seek revenge is the world’s approach and we already discussed how that’s like putting gasoline on a fire. Bringing a form of love can bring a change we never imagined for that’s what love does. But it starts with prayer because not all situations are easy to show love in. We need the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us.
Jesus said when we take the approach of love, then we become “sons of our Father who is in heaven.” This is an honor and just goes to show how important and powerful Love to others can be. We have this going for us: people want to be loved.
There will be times when you will come across someone who will be outright evil and will respond to your love with utmost disrespect and be totally untrustworthy. Deuteronomy 23:3-6 speaks of such an example. It’s during these times your demonstration of love comes in a different form. It’s careful and done so in a manner that protects you and your loved ones.
God forbid the Israelites to trust their 2 enemies who treated them with utmost disrespect. They were not to be trusted. Just because you can’t trust someone doesn’t mean you hate them. You have to be careful, and wise, but not unlovable.
Learning to love our enemies helps break down barriers or false perceptions. I’ve seen it over and over and over again when you love someone who thinks a person is bad only to see a side they didn’t expect. It either breaks down the barrier of hate or chips away a portion of the wall of hate. But before that can happen we must break down our barriers that says, ” Love only your friends.” Come on, that’s easy to do! Showing the love of Jesus is not just for your friends but for everyone. God’s love is perfect and he shows it for everyone; and he says our love is to be perfect also, not withheld from anyone. Holy Spirit, help me love even my enemies.
