Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said” (5:43). Love your Enemies Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said” (5:43). Drawn from Mosaic Law (Lev. 19:18). Mosaic Law did not command “hate your enemy.” It commanded not to hate (Lev. 19:17). Drawn out of restricted definition of “neighbor.” Jesus confronts this way of thinking.
Matthew 5:43-48 “But I Say to You” (5:44a; cf. Matt. 7:28-29). Love your Enemies Matthew 5:43-48 “But I Say to You” (5:44a; cf. Matt. 7:28-29). “Lawgiver” (Gen. 49:10). “Law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). “Blood of the New Covenant” (Matt. 26:28). “New Covenant” (Jer. 31:31-34).
Matthew 5:43-48 “But I Say to You” (5:44a; cf. Matt. 7:28-29). Love your Enemies Matthew 5:43-48 “But I Say to You” (5:44a; cf. Matt. 7:28-29). “Love your enemies” (5:44b). Disciples of Christ will have “enemies” (Matt. 10:22; Phil. 3:17-20). We are not always successful at peace (Rom. 12:18). “Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (5:44c; Matt. 10:23).
Love your Enemies Matthew 5:43-48 “That You May Be Sons of Your Father in Heaven” (5:45-48). God does good to those who hate Him (5:45b; Acts 14:17; Rom. 5:8-11). When we love our enemies, we act as God has acted.