May 26th, 2026
by Eddie Exline
by Eddie Exline
It's no secret that we live in a polarized society where almost every thought and opinion we have is countered by those who hold opposite views. While having different opinions is expected among large groups of people, the ability for Americans to peacefully tolerate those differing opinions has decreased dramatically. We're told to be tolerant and accepting, but we often see intolerance. We're told to be loving, but often we see hate, violence, and murder.
Trying to navigate these times as a Christian can be a challenge. Jesus spoke on this subject in His famous "Sermon on the Mount." He said in Matthew 5:43-48 -
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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 do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." ***
In verses 43-44, Jesus is having to counter a twisting of Leviticus 19:17-18, which reads “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord."
The people of Jesus' time had twisted Leviticus to add that you could "hate your enemies." The ancient Jewish people did not much care for the Romans or their politics. It turns out that we modern people are no different than people from 2,000 years ago. We hate just as they did. Jesus had to correct them and remind them that Leviticus said "you shall not hate your brother in your heart." Scripture says we are to "reason" with those we would be inclined to hate, and even if they are unreasonable in return, we are not allowed to hate them or bear a grudge against them.
We must be willing to forgive the ones who disagree with us. As it says in Ephesian 4:26-27 - "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil," and also in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 - "Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs." Both of these verses show that unforgiveness and staying in anger are traps that the enemy uses to ensnare us. Unforgiveness and anger, when left unchecked, can create what Hebrews 12:14-15 calls a "root of bitterness" that can ultimately cause "many to be defiled." Consider an obvious example like Adolph Hitler, who allowed his anger and bitterness to take deep root, defiling the entire world to this very day, causing many to die and creating many like-minded people who follow him straight to hell.
Please understand that I am not saying that we should passively accept and allow evil. On the contrary, we are called to stand against it, to expose it, but we cannot take vengeance into our own hands through our own human anger. God says in Deuteronomy 32:35-36 - "Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’ 36 For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants," and reiterated in Romans 12:19-21 - "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
As darkness grows in the world, and we see increasing hatred against Jews, Christians, and anyone with even the faintest of what is called "traditional values," may we hold fast to "overcoming evil with good." May our light, the light and truth of Christ's good news, the gospel, shine brighter and brighter, and may we remain faithful to Him through all the days of our lives.
***A quick note on "being perfect." It's easy to read Matthew 5:48 and say in frustration, "I can't do that! I'm not perfect." Here is a small section from the "Wycliffe Bible Commentary," which says "The command 'be ye therefore perfect' is to be restricted to the matter of love in this context. As God's love is complete, not omitting any group, so must the child of God strive for maturity in this regard. This cannot mean sinlessness for earlier in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:6-7, Jesus says that the blessed ones still hunger for righteousness and need mercy." So we're all still works in progress and growing to maturity, and we can be confident that He who began a good work in us will complete it (Philippians 1:6)!
Trying to navigate these times as a Christian can be a challenge. Jesus spoke on this subject in His famous "Sermon on the Mount." He said in Matthew 5:43-48 -
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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 do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." ***
In verses 43-44, Jesus is having to counter a twisting of Leviticus 19:17-18, which reads “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord."
The people of Jesus' time had twisted Leviticus to add that you could "hate your enemies." The ancient Jewish people did not much care for the Romans or their politics. It turns out that we modern people are no different than people from 2,000 years ago. We hate just as they did. Jesus had to correct them and remind them that Leviticus said "you shall not hate your brother in your heart." Scripture says we are to "reason" with those we would be inclined to hate, and even if they are unreasonable in return, we are not allowed to hate them or bear a grudge against them.
We must be willing to forgive the ones who disagree with us. As it says in Ephesian 4:26-27 - "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil," and also in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 - "Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs." Both of these verses show that unforgiveness and staying in anger are traps that the enemy uses to ensnare us. Unforgiveness and anger, when left unchecked, can create what Hebrews 12:14-15 calls a "root of bitterness" that can ultimately cause "many to be defiled." Consider an obvious example like Adolph Hitler, who allowed his anger and bitterness to take deep root, defiling the entire world to this very day, causing many to die and creating many like-minded people who follow him straight to hell.
Please understand that I am not saying that we should passively accept and allow evil. On the contrary, we are called to stand against it, to expose it, but we cannot take vengeance into our own hands through our own human anger. God says in Deuteronomy 32:35-36 - "Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’ 36 For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants," and reiterated in Romans 12:19-21 - "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
As darkness grows in the world, and we see increasing hatred against Jews, Christians, and anyone with even the faintest of what is called "traditional values," may we hold fast to "overcoming evil with good." May our light, the light and truth of Christ's good news, the gospel, shine brighter and brighter, and may we remain faithful to Him through all the days of our lives.
***A quick note on "being perfect." It's easy to read Matthew 5:48 and say in frustration, "I can't do that! I'm not perfect." Here is a small section from the "Wycliffe Bible Commentary," which says "The command 'be ye therefore perfect' is to be restricted to the matter of love in this context. As God's love is complete, not omitting any group, so must the child of God strive for maturity in this regard. This cannot mean sinlessness for earlier in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:6-7, Jesus says that the blessed ones still hunger for righteousness and need mercy." So we're all still works in progress and growing to maturity, and we can be confident that He who began a good work in us will complete it (Philippians 1:6)!
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