Show Don't Tell: Matthew 5:43-48
Instead of saying "Jesus commanded us to love our enemies," picture your enemy's face. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'" Natural. Reasonable. Expected. "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Pray for them. Not that they'd be destroyed—pray for their good. Why? "That you may be children of your Father in heaven." Watch God's behavior: he makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Indiscriminate kindness. If you only love those who love you, what credit is that? Even tax collectors do that. Even pagans greet their own people. "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." The Sermon on the Mount ends chapter five with an impossible standard—unless someone gives you a new heart.
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