Loving Difficult People

Matthew 5-7 is often referred to as The Sermon on the Mount, which is a series of teachings that Jesus gives near the beginning of His ministry. Most of what Jesus talks about is not necessarily new teaching, but rather a reorientation of how the Jewish people understood the Old Testament laws.

The command to love your neighbor was a common one. It is easy to love people who are close to us. It’s also easy to love those who are similar to us, and even those who love us as well.

But Jesus’ command isn’t just to love those who are easy to love. Jesus says we should also love our enemies. We should love the people who are least deserving of our love.

He also says to pray for those who persecute us. This isn’t a prayer for them to stay away, but rather a prayer for their good. We should be praying for the salvation of those who intend us harm, asking that they would recognize their actions and turn to God.

There are two clear reasons why we should show love to our enemies:

• This is how God treated us. When we were enemies of God, He still showed love to us. He gave us breath and life, and also sent Jesus to restore our relationship with Him.

• Showing love to our enemies is a counter-cultural action that displays God’s love for them. Romans 12:20-21 tells us that when we love our enemies, we can overcome evil with good. Loving someone who is mean to us provides a way for God’s love to reach those who are far away.

Take a moment to consider some people in your life who are difficult to love. Begin by praying for them. Pray for their salvation if they’re not Christians, and pray for their wellbeing. Think of one or two ways you can show love to your enemies and share the hope of Jesus.