Our scripture this week is Matthew 5:43-48.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:46
During the course of His time with us, Jesus tells us many times that we are called to a higher standard than the world expects of people. In Matthew 7 Jesus teaches “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”. The world tells us to do to others what they do to us, a stark contrast with the law of God to love one another.
We often find as believers we are at odds with worldly opinion and practice. The way of the world is the easy path, putting ourselves first. As Christians, we are expected to put others first, living for God and not ourselves.
Jesus taught us to take the right path, even when it is not easy. If we love only those who love us in return, we are not following His teaching. His way requires us to be intentional in our faith and to love when it would be easier to ignore.
Lord of all, You call us to treat everyone with love and respect, but instead we curse each other. Help us to see that the way of the world leads to destruction, and show us how we can live in peace. Amen.
Beautiful! Thank you!