In verse 44 of Matthew 5, Jesus turns all common sense on its head and declares the heart of the one who has been transformed by the power of the Gospel. Our tendency is to hate our enemies. We come by that naturally. It doesn’t take much effort on our part. But He said, “Love them.” Stunning! How is that possible?

When you compare to other Bible verses, you see the same idea over and over again: Proverbs 19:11 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

Colossians 3:13 “… as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Romans 12:14 “Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them.”

1 Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for it is to this you were called.”

We see it in the lives of those we read about in Scripture. We read biographies about Christians who have endured unimaginable injustice and respond with love and kindness. It’s just not normal or natural! True enough, it is supernatural!

And the beauty is that its not something God expects us to do in our own strength or because we know that’s the right thing to do. As in any other aspect of the Christian life, the only way we can truly follow our Lord wholeheartedly is by grace – the power and ability He gives us to do His will.

So today, you may not be facing an enemy or overt persecution. But I doubt many of us today made it through without opposition or trouble or difficulty or suffering of some kind. Perhaps someone ruined your reputation at work simply because of your faith. For me, I was ranting and raving about a tow truck driver charging me an outrageous amount for using my credit card!

Regardless of how silly or profound the challenge might be our God is able to do His good work in us and through us! He gives us the strength to serve! He dwells in us by His Spirit and never leaves or forsakes us!

How glorious and magnificent is the matchless grace of God in our lives – REJOICE!

Danny