IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Love Your Enemies

Date: Feb. 1, 2021

Passage

Matthew 5:33-48

Oaths

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Retaliation

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

1. Love your enemies

Jesus shares some of his most difficult teachings here. Who can turn the other cheek or love their enemy? Love is not a warm and fuzzy feeling that just falls into one's lap. Love takes effort. Love is hard. Enemies are but human labels we create for those we want to fight or hide from and not love. But God loved us even while we were still sinners. We can begin to love when we know God's love for us.

2. Be perfect (48)

What does it mean to be perfect? What if it is not something to attain, but something that comes by faith? God-who is perfect-loves you, and even more than you could ever imagine. How would you live if you grew more and more in the knowledge and faith of God's love for you? How about knowing that this same love extends to everyone?

Prayer: Lord, you are perfect and created us in your image and in your love. May we live and grow in your love and love others in the same way.

One Word: God is love

Daily Bread

Remember Who God is

Psalm 77:1-20

Key Verse: 77:11

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

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