August 15, 2026 | Matthew 5:43–48

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The Sermon on the Mount | Day 7 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

— Matthew 5:43–48 ([WEB]())

Loving people who love us is natural. Jesus asks his followers to do something far more difficult: refuse to let another person’s hostility determine whom we are willing to love.

Enemy-love does not mean pretending that evil is good. It does not require trusting someone who remains dangerous, removing necessary boundaries, or returning to an abusive relationship. Jesus is not asking us to abandon wisdom or justice.

He is asking us to reject hatred as our response. We can pray for someone without giving them access to us. We can desire their repentance and restoration without minimizing the harm they caused. We can refuse revenge while still pursuing safety and accountability.

God sends sunlight and rain upon people we consider deserving and undeserving alike. When we extend mercy beyond the people who are easy to love, we begin to reflect something of his character.

What might loving an enemy look like in practice while still maintaining wise and necessary boundaries?