Someone once said: “Loving our enemies, then, does not mean that we are supposed to love the dirt in which the pearl is buried; rather it means that we love the pearl which lies in the dust … . God does not love us because we are by nature lovable. But we become lovable because He loves us.”

When you look at your “enemies,” what do you normally see — the pearl or the dirt around it?

Read Matthew 5:43-48. Jesus calls us to love and pray for our enemies. What example from nature does Jesus give us there that helps us understand why we should love our enemies? What’s the point He is teaching us?

Image © David Sorensen at Goodsalt.com

In Matthew 5:45, Jesus uses the example of His Father in heaven to illustrate how we should treat those who hurt us, who perhaps put us in the worst kind of crucibles. Jesus says that His Father sends the blessing of rain to both the righteous and the unrighteous; if God gives even the unjust rain, how then should we treat them, as well?

Jesus isn’t trying to say that we should always have a warm, fuzzy feeling to everyone who causes us trouble, though this may also be possible. Fundamentally, love for our enemies is not meant to be a feeling we have for them but specific actions toward them that reveal care and consideration.

Jesus concludes this passage with a verse that often causes a lot of debate: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, NIV). But the meaning is very clear in the context: Those people who want to be perfect as God is perfect must show love to their enemies as God shows love to His. To be perfect in God’s sight is to love the opposition; and to do this takes a meekness of heart that only God can give.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-loving-those-who-hurt-us/

Key Thought: If we possess the humbleness or meekness of Jesus’ example, we can rise above the slights, rebuffs, and annoyances that we face daily. Loveliness of heart is a strength to give us victory.
September 3, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Exodus 32:1-14.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What role do we find Moses playing here?
3. Personal Application: What do you do when someone annoys and disrespects you? Do you seek mercy and grace for them, or something else? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why did Moses ask God not to destroy Israel? Hadn’t they been rebellious against God and against Moses? What reasons did Moses give for not destroying them?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 5:43-48.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does God giving the rain to the just and unjust tell us about God’s grace to the wicked?
3. Personal Application: How can we have meekness and patience with those that give us trouble? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How am I supposed to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me? That’s not normal, nor is it sensible. You have to protect yourself against those who are trying to destroy you. David even prayed for God to destroy his enemies in the Psalms.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read 1 Peter 2:18-23.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on the importance of this text.
2. What principles of humility and meekness can we learn from Jesus as expressed by Paul?
3. Personal Application: Why does the Bible reject insolence, rebellion, and rioting even against abusive masters or bosses? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “As an employee in a company, I don’t think my bosses treat me or the other workers very well. I am tempted to tell them off, or sabotage the work we are doing. Maybe that would get their attention.” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Psalm 62:3-8.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. When in trouble or difficulties, how often do you turn to prayer for God’s guidance and direction first before complaining, worrying, or trying to deal with them?
3. Personal Application: How many two-faced people have you had to deal with in your life – where they bless outwardly, but curse and backstab inwardly? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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