Good morning. Today, we will be reflecting on two of the most powerful passages in the bible: Matthew 5:43-48 “Love your enemies” and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 “The greatest is Love. I am not sure about you, but when I go to a Wedding, if I don’t hear the words “Resounding Gong”, it doesn’t feel like the couple have ‘really’ got married!
Although I am joking, it is true that both of today’s passages are so commonly used that they sometimes can lose their power. So the challenge for us this morning is to try and reflect on them afresh, and let them help us to understand God’s love again.
These Scriptures remind us of God’s universal blessings, call us to reflect His character, and reveal His plan to transform humanity and the world. They also teach us to seek peace even in difficult situations and encourage us not to fear persecution.
God’s Blessings Are for All People
Matthew 5:45 tells us that God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. This truth highlights God’s grace and generosity toward all people, regardless of their actions or beliefs.
God does not withhold His blessings from anyone. The sun shines and the rain falls because of His goodness, not our merit. As His children, we are called to reflect this same impartial love and grace to others, including our enemies.
How often do we withhold kindness from someone because we feel they don’t deserve it?
Just yesterday I was walking through the North Hobart restaurant strip and as I turned the corner, I heard a teenager ask her Mum why she had “done it”. The Mother said that at the moment it is more important than ever to help people, because “we have what we need, but not everyone does”. The comment all made sense as I walked further and saw a young man begging on the foot path. Whereas I might sometimes judge someone begging for money based on their appearance or how much I feel they might deserve it, this time the comments of the mother helped me to remember the Christlike kindness that is not based on merit but on love. Jesus challenges us to move beyond human tendencies and love as God loves, freely and unconditionally.
The Call to Reflect God’s Character
How do we do this? Jesus commands us to “be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This doesn’t mean we can be flawlessness in our power, but it does mean we are to strive to imitate God’s character as best we can—His love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Paul expands on this idea in 1 Corinthians 13, describing love as patient, kind, and without envy or pride. He tells us that love is not self-seeking or easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. These qualities reflect God’s character and show us how-to live-in relationship with others, and if we are honest are things we can all work on every day.
To avoid anger and resentment when people attack us can feel impossible. A quick example of this for me happened a few years ago when a colleague asked for my help, so I came in to work on my day off to help them finish preparing for an event. When I arrived, they weren’t there. I waited an hour or so whilst completing tasks but got to a point where I couldn’t progress things any further. I called them to ask when they were returning to the office. My colleague told me that they were on the East Coast with their family and were taking annual leave. I was in shock because they had not applied for leave, had not told anyone that they were away, and had left urgent work unattended. I asked them about the jobs they had left unfinished, and whilst trying to help them over the phone I heard the loud angry voice of their partner in the car next to them say “Tell him to leave you alone and stop harassing you”!
This is an insignificant 1st world example of being attacked compared to other attacks people experience, yet still to this day I struggle to not feel anger or resentment over the incident! To love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us is one of the most challenging aspects of our faith. Thankfully the ability to have the strength to love our enemies and grow in godliness is possible through God’s greater plan.
God’s Plan for Transformation
Both passages reveal God’s ultimate plan: the transformation of humanity and the world. God’s love is the foundation for this transformation. Think about Jesus on the cross. He loved those who mocked and crucified Him. Through His love, He opened the way for humanity’s redemption.
We are called to follow His example, becoming agents of reconciliation in a broken world. When we choose to love as He does, we become instruments of His peace and justice. When we choose love, we participate in God’s work of restoring relationships, healing divisions, and bringing hope to those in despair. This is how God’s kingdom grows on earth.
As some of you know, the topic of Heaven and God’s plan for a Kingdom of restored everlasting life is my favourite subject for conversation over a coffee, in the car, or even the other day whilst playing a round of mini golf! It astounds me how little we discuss what heaven will be like and our role in God’s plan of salvation and restoration. Paul says “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known”. We know enough to see the reflection of God’s future glory for us and to see who he is, his character and blessings to humanity. All I need is a mirror to get ready in the morning, and it is the same with what God has given us in the bible, in his church and the Holy Spirit – we see enough to get ready for his Kingdom.
Seeking Peace in Hard Situations
But we are warned that as we get ready for the Kingdom, we should expect suffering and persecution, even at times to the point of death. Matthew 5:44 teaches us to pray for those who persecute us. This is a radical response to hostility, but it is also God’s wisdom. Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s and allows His peace to guard our minds.
Seeking peace doesn’t mean avoiding conflict or compromising truth; it means responding to difficult situations with wisdom and grace. When we seek peace, we defuse anger and open the door for God to work.
Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” While we cannot control others’ actions, we can choose to act with integrity and love, trusting God to handle the outcome.
As the challenge of persecution and suffering approaches it is also important to
not fear it. Jesus warned us that following Him would come at a cost, but He also promised us His presence and ultimate victory.
When we are persecuted, we share in Christ’s suffering and demonstrate the power of His love to the world. Persecution is not something to avoid but an opportunity to glorify God. As Paul writes in Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
So as we think about God’s blessings available to all, the challenge to reflect God’s character, God’s plan for restoration and how to face persecution let us ask ourselves the following questions:
- Am I loving as God loves, even when it’s hard?
- Am I reflecting His character in my relationships?
- Am I seeking peace and trusting God in difficult situations?
- Am I bold in my faith, even in the face of opposition?
It is evident that people in our community are watching attentively how we respond to the challenge of increasing persecution as a church, and particularly how we live in relationship with those who see themselves as our enemy. Let us remember in closing that when we love as God loves, we become living testimonies of His grace and power.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your Word that challenges and transforms us. Teach us to love as You love, to bless those who curse us, and to seek peace in every situation. Help us reflect Your character in a world that desperately needs to see Your light. Strengthen us to face persecution without fear, knowing that You are with us and that Your kingdom will prevail.
Lord, we ask for Your wisdom and courage to be agents of transformation in our families, communities, and the world. Fill us with Your Spirit, so that Your love may flow through us and draw others to You.
In the name of Jesus, who showed us the ultimate example of love, we pray. Amen.