Daily Devotion, May 4, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 5:43-48.

It is easy to love people who think like us and treat us well. Caring for our own is one of our most powerful motivations. We tend to love those who are closest to us, including ourselves. Anything or anyone who hurts us or our loved ones becomes our enemy. If we want to be like God, we have to learn to be more loving to all.

Jesus came to demonstrate how to show the love of God, our Creator who loves and cares for us all. In the original Greek language of the New Testament, there is a specific word describing love that does not seek personal gain: agapé. Throughout the Bible we find that this is the kind of love God shows us.

Jesus wants us to understand that the way we treat people who are rude, obnoxious, lazy, selfish, or unkind reflects the state of our relationship with God. It is one thing to get along with our friends, but the way we treat the people who drive us crazy matters too, because it’s part of our witness of grace.

While there may be consequences for our actions, ultimately God chooses not to write us off. Instead, God extends mercy and compassion and stays in relationship with us. He calls us to go and do likewise, even to people who have become our enemies.

Personal Worship Option:

Loving and gracious God, we worship you as our Creator and sustainer. Thank you for the love you have shown to us in Jesus. Loving our enemies is a very tough commandment. Help us to love others as you have loved us. Amen.