“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 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. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”

• It is not normal in the world’s eyes to love those who are against you and who do you wrong. People try to justify their lack of love for others by holding their actions against them, but this command has no conditions attached to it. The command says to love and pray for your enemies, so we must not pick and choose who we treat in a godly manner. Godliness and pride do not mix, and we are instructed to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. If we choose a judgmental attitude, we choose to sin. Often a change in others begins with a change in us. Our charge is to show love to everyone. God will handle judgement at just the right time, for both us and our enemies. May our love become as Christ’s love. Jesus knew us on our worst day, and still loved us enough to give His life so that we might live. May we strive to live as Jesus did.

• Are you set apart from the world’s view because of the love of Christ that is in you?
• What can be seen in you, about the people you greet, you bless, you love, and you pray for, that sets you apart as a true follower of Christ?
• Do you want to make a difference?
• Do you want to be set apart as a Christian?
• Will you allow God’s will, and His Word, to direct your life?