How to Be Like God | Matthew 5:38-48

In the good way

Author

Caleb Lee
January 19, 2024

It’s interesting how Satan has indoctrinated the world to think that God is somehow cruel or unfair.

“How could a good God create a world with such suffering and pain?” is a question I’ve gotten before.

But we often fail to realize that God never meant for the world to be this way. He created the world to be perfect, a place for His creation to enjoy and prosper. Humans were the ones who messed it up.

He remains good.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

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.

Matthew 5:38-48

Very controversial words spoken by Jesus.

But the second half of verse 45 is something I’ve never thought about before.

God has every right in his just nature to enact His justice and impose His will on the earth. To get rid of all the evil and uphold the good.

But He doesn’t.

He allows the world to continue in the ways that it does, He allows the sun to rise, and He allows the rain to fall.

Why?

So that those who follow Him will be the light of the world. To show the world that imperfect people, sinful people, can still follow Him and love in the same way that He loves the world.

To show the world what love truly means.

That’s the life that Christians are called to live.

That’s how we become like God.

Have a blessed Friday, my friends.