1. 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.

2. 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).

3. 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).

4. 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.