The Most Excellent Way
Love Impacts Enemies

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:43-48

Key Verse: Matthew 5:44

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Is love the most excellent way?  Our world would only go along with that to certain levels and then they would feel hatred is justified.  Jesus called His followers to model what He taught—because it was truth!  There is never a situation where love is not the most excellent way!  In our scripture for today, Jesus speaks of enemies and how they will act toward us.  What is the best way to deal with them?  Worldly people have little trouble dealing with worldly ways.  If we treat their bad behavior toward us with spiteful or revengeful ways; if we snap back at them when they verbally attack us, they know how to handle that!

Do you know what will really stun them, leaving them clueless and feeling bad about themselves?  Always return love to them.  The Apostle Paul writes that by using love as our weapon, we are “heaping burning coals on his head” (Romans 12:20).  What Paul is saying is if you want to truly sting a person’s conscience—a person who is treating you poorly—show them love!

Let’s go back to our theme this week: Love is the greatest power in this world (1 Corinthians 13:13).  The world believes hatred and vengeful actions are the way to handle people who hate and are vengeful.  Jesus says to show them love and we will win every time.  Who will you believe the world or Jesus?  Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life!

Father, I choose you!  I choose your way of living!  I choose your methods of dealing with evil people!  I have made my decision: I will walk as Jesus did with your help.  In Jesus’ name, amen.