Religion Stepping on Jesus' Words

Matthew 5: 43-48

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

It was highly educational listening to Pastor Kyle again today. The message was very moving and poignant (that will be tomorrow's post), but it was his side note that stuck this evening. In verse 43 Jesus addresses the social acceptance of hating your "enemy." It seems simple and those who aren't educated in things Biblical, could almost believe that it came from Scripture...but it didn't. Nowhere in the Bible does God tell us it is okay to hate anyone, regardless of what they've done. This "motto" is a great example of how fleshly religion has stepped in and fitted the "Scripture" to our lives and desires. It makes one wonder how often we have added/omitted/substituted things in the Bible to bring about what we deem appropriate.

The good news, even if we have committed such offenses, is that God is who He says He is and He does what He says He will do. It's nice to focus on the fact that God is unchanging no matter the distortion we allow ourselves to believe. Furthermore, the great news is...that even though we may want to hate our enemies but doing things God's way usually yields better results. For example:

Proverbs 25: 21 &22

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Just saying.