Bible Study Seattle

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’   But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  that you may be sons of your Father 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 have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?   And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?   Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”  Matthew 5:43-48

Why pray for enemies?  Most Christians gloss over this.  Sure it has to do with not letting evil get the better of us.  It’s hard to nurse grudges when praying for someone’s wellbeing.  But it’s more than that.  We will face them in the future!  And God wants everyone to come to a knowledge of the truth.  He wants everyone to be saved.  That doesn’t mean they will, but God wants the best for everyone.

We are to motivate everyone to repentance and good works.  We have to model that.  But it doesn’t mean we act stupid.  Common sense isn’t out the window just because we’re praying for everyone.  That’s why Jesus said wise as serpents and innocent as doves.