Message for July 26, 2026 from Pastor Shirley

Matthew 5:43-45 “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.

Kingdom Dynamic Verse 44 “Love Those Who Have Animosity Toward You.” 

The word “enemy” does not suit any limited, convenient meaning as though merely referring to those whom we may not particularly like. The command to love our enemies means much more than simply changing our feelings about people with whom we do not get along. Rather, “enemy (Greek, echthros) means adversity or foe and refers to those whose actions and words manifest hatred for you.”  The in-law who will not speak to you, the associate who tried to get you fired. We are called to love those filled with animosity toward us.    Jesus leaves no room for speculation in this passage, commanding us to love those who hate, despise, and persecute us. Such love is only possible through the power of Jesus Christ, who himself loved in that way and now seeks vessels through whom to love against the hate- filled who assail Him as they oppose you.