door). If we refuse to give them love, we are refusing to give them God, and we are closing our own doors to God and His love. If someone strikes you on one cheek (verse 39), don’t give him an angry fist; give him love. If someone wants to take from you a valued possession (verse 40), you can’t stop his greed but you can stop him from sinning against you: give it to him freely and cheerfully. And to prove your willingness to love him, give him another of your possessions. If someone asks you to do a chore for him that’s not fair (verse 41), prevent it from being a sin of cruelty by gladly doing what he asks and volunteering to do more. If you’re approached by a “bum” who can’t keep a job and he wants you to give him money (verse 42), keep him from sinning by giving him no opportunity to hate you. This is what it means to be perfect (verse 48). Perfection in the Bible means love—complete, full, unlimited, merciful love. Questions for Reflection and Discussion 1. Think of a time when God showed you mercy, a time when you didn’t deserve His love. What did it feel like when He gave you His love anyway? How did it change you?2. What is an enemy? Give a definition that includes everyone you know, including yourself. How often do you experience enemies affecting your life? 3. When was the last time you did a good deed to an enemy? What kind of an impact did your good deed make on him or her? 4. List some ideas for good deeds that can be simply and easily done while someone is hurting you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Matthew 6:1- 4 Jesus turns His attention to three tools of spiritual growth —almsgiving, prayer and fasting—and explains the right attitude we must have toward each of them, while He contrasts them to the wrong attitude held be many Pharisees. First, Jesus deals with almsgiving, i.e., generosity. Generosity is a nor...
