Romans 5:6-8
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His Own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!”
Matthew 5:43-48,
“But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Who?
Do you have any Enemies?
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”
What?
Love – Agape Love
How?
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Do Good to them -
Proverbs 25:21 “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”
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Bless Them -
“Bless those who curse you.”
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Pray For Them
Why?
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Because Hate for Hate only creates more Hate
Hebrews 12:15, “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
Matthew 5:45, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
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Because of what Hating our Enemies does to Us
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Because we are Called to be Perfect, like God
Matthew 5:46-48,
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
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Because of the Redemptive Power of Love
What? – Love (Agape Love)
Who? – Our Enemies (Again, got any?)
How? – Do Good to them, Bless them and Pray for them
Why?
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Because Hate for Hate only creates more Hate
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Because of what Hating our enemies does to Us
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Because we are Called to be Perfect like God
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Because of the Redemptive Power of Love
