Thoughts for Worship:

A Scandalous Command to Love
Scripture:  Matthew 5:43-48

The radical demand of being a Christ follower reaches an apex in the command “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”.  Loving our friends is easy, even unbelievers can do that.  But proactively seeking the welfare of people who oppose us, ridicule us or hate us seems impossible.  It is only through Christ’s transforming grace that such attitudes and actions are possible!

Life Application:  Why do you think Jesus insists that His people love their enemies?  What does this tell you about your own relationship with God?  Read Romans 5:6-10.

Outline:
A Scandalous Command to Love