Do Good To Your Enemies
Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV) “ 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But 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, 45 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
It is very easy to love only those who love you. Why should anyone go out of their way to do something nice to those who spitefully abuse, embarrass, and mistreat you? The answer is very direct, clear, yet hard to do. Jesus shares four things every Christian should do:
- Love your enemies
- Bless those who curse you
- Do good to those who hate you
- Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
Why should we do this to those who don’t deserve this kindness? Because it changes your character and behavior into Godly behavior. Jesus also tells the reason why:
Matthew 5:45 (NLT) “In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.”
- God gives mercy, so we should give mercy.
- God gives grace, so we should give grace.
- God blesses us, so we should bless others.
- Jesus prays for us (Romans 8:34), so we should pray for others.
When we see Jesus Christ at judgment and our lives are reviewed, what will you say when there is an encounter with someone mistreating you? Will you say, “Lord, I left them alone because I didn’t want my anger to come out and commit any sins,” But Jesus might say, “Why didn’t you do good for them, bless them, and pray for them so that they could see my good living inside of you?” Remember this. God cares about your motives more than the good you intended to do in your own eyes.
Be Blessed!
Ron
Ron Cobbs Ministries © Copyright August 13th, 2026, All Rights Reserved
