“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44-48)
Loving our enemies often goes against our natural instincts and societal norms today. Yet, the Lord Jesus insists that this is the hallmark of a true follower of God. He teaches us to bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who mistreat and persecute us. This is not just an act of passive tolerance but a demonstration of active love, a love that extends even to those who oppose us.
Jesus points to the example of God Himself, who shows His love to everyone. The sun shines on both the evil and the good, and rain falls on the just and the unjust. If we can love only those who love us, we are no better than unbelievers.
The call to perfection is about reflecting the perfect love of God. It is about embracing a love that goes beyond our limitations, a love that sees the image of God in every person, regardless of their actions towards us. True love is not conditional but unconditional. It is a love that extends beyond our personal feelings and experiences, a love that reflects the very nature of God Himself.
