Matthew 5 - Thoughts

For such a long chapter I'll keep my thought brief. I particularly love the verses near the end "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (Matt 5:44, KJV)

Have you ever actually prayed for your enemy? I have a few times in my life and it is so hard to get those words out, because you feel like you are betraying yourself, like you're choosing their side over your own, but after the words come out a realization hits. It's not about you versus them, it's about you helping them in what little way you can. It's about you hoping that they see the light, that they find the strength to find the Savior in their lives.

"For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matt 5:45, KJV)

I love this verse too. It goes along well with the scripture stating that God is no respecter of persons. His justice and mercy is given to all. He allows all to suffer, and He blesses all people. So when you feel like you've had more of your share of injustices and not enough mercies, remember this and remember that you are no worse off than other people, you just see them at their best and see yourself at your worst.

"For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matt 5: 46-48, KJV)

What a great point. It is easy to love those who love you back, easy to be kind to your friends. But anyone can do that. To be a true disciple of Christ your goal must be higher, indeed it must be on perfection. Though we cannot get there on our own, we can try harder to be a friend to those who we do not know but see in our daily lives. We can pray for our enemies, we can be kind to those who are rude to us.

It takes a lot of practice. Even today I nearly lost it a few times at people, but now that I reflect on these versus I realize I should have been better. They were probably just as stressed as I was. Tomorrow I will be better.