QUESTION #5 For if you love them that love you, what reward will you get?

QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED BIBLE STUDY


  





Read Matthew 5:43-48 KJV: 


For if you love them that love you, what reward will you get? Do not even the publicans do the same? (Matthew 5:46)

And if you greet your brethren only, what is unusual about that? Do not the publicans do the same? (Matthew 5:47)

 

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

Reference: Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:31-36

 

Publicans were a dreaded and despised class among the Hebrew people, because they were often oppressive and dishonest. They were employed as collectors of the Roman revenue (tax collectors). The New Testament regards them in most places as being traitors and apostates, and defiled by their frequent exchange with the heathen. 

 

Jesus is described as being friendly with the publicans. He let them “draw near” to him (Luke 15:1), went into their homes (Luke 19:5), sat with them (Matthew 9:10), ate with them (Matthew 9:11), and was accused of being a “friend of publicans and sinners” (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34). Here by His actions Jesus demonstrated the kind of love and attitude he expected of His followers. If we do not fellowship with sinners how are they to see the “kingdom of heaven?” Jesus came to set up that spiritual kingdom and as His followers we are to continue until He comes back.

 

When Jesus said we are to love our enemies, He was creating a new standard for relationships. People knew they were to love their neighbor because the command to love your neighbor was a law of God (Leviticus 19:18). But Jesus raised this idea to an even higher standard: “Love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you or persecute you, that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” Jesus goes on to explain that loving those who love us is easy and even unbelievers can do that. Then He commands us to “be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48)

 

Here Jesus taught that His followers must demonstrate love to all people, to sinners, and yes, even our enemies. If you love your enemies and “pray for those that despitefully use you or persecute you,” you then truly reveal that Jesus is Lord of your life. You reveal that you are a “child of God.”

 

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise,” (Luke 6:31). This verse is usually referred to as the Golden Rule. This is apparently a restatement of the second commandment “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Leviticus 19:18). Jesus is telling us we should treat people as we would like to be treated. A good rule to follow!

 

Notes:

 

 

 

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