Radical Love as Political Resistance A reflection on Matthew 5:43 48 on the Daily Bible refresh.

Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.

In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

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I use the message version relatable.

Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.

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Here's Today's reading from Matthew 5:43 48.

Reading from the message you're familiar with the old written law Love your friend and its unwritten companion.

Hate your enemy.

I'm challenging that.

I'm telling you to love your enemies.

Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.

When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for then you are working out of your true selves, your God created selves.

This is what God does.

He gives his best the sun to warm and the rain to nourish to everyone regardless the good and bad, the nice and the nasty.

If if all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus?

Anybody can do that.

If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal?

Any run of the mill sinner does that.

In a word, what I'm saying is grow up your kingdom subjects now.

Live like it.

Live out your God created identity.

Live generously and graciously toward others the way God lives toward you.

Well, what a wonderful passage of scripture.

This is Jesus really presenting a revolutionary approach to how to deal with your opposition your enemies.

Let's talk about some points to ponder.

The first is about love as resistance.

Jesus command is to quote, love your enemies.

It isn't about being nice or passive.

It's a radical political stance.

In a world of us versus them.

Thinking, choosing love disrupts cycles of violence and dehumanization.

This challenges both personal vendettas and systematic oppression, suggesting that true power lies in refusing to mirror the tactics of our oppressors.

The second point is about universal flourishing.

The image of sun and rain falling on everyone speaks to environmental and social justice.

Nature doesn't discriminate.

Why do our systems?

This calls us to work toward universal access to resources and challenging policies that restrict basic needs to health care and housing, education and food based on perceived worthiness.

The third point is about growing up beyond dualism.

Grow up is what the scripture says.

This suggests moving beyond simplistic binary thinking.

Progressive faith invites us to embrace complexity.

Recognize that people and situations aren't simply good or bad.

This mature spiritual spirituality sees divine presence in unexpected places and people.

So here's today's action step.

Choose one quote Enemy.

You know what I'm talking about.

This could be a person or a group or an ideology that you struggle with.

And instead of attempting to force love, start with curiosity.

Start with asking questions.

Start with listening.

Research their perspective on the issue or their history or some of the circumstances and try to do so without judgment.

What complexities emerge?

How might this inform your response to them?

Listen and learn.

We'll come back with a here when we come back with a closing prayer here in just a minute, but I'd like to share with you that we have a great resource that I really want you to pick up.

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Go over to voiceofgoddaily.com and it's there for you.

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Let's pray God, you're the source of universal love.

When we're tempted to draw lines between us and them, Remind us of your Son that warms all faces, your rain that nourishes all gardens.

Help us resist evil while still seeing humanity and those who oppose us.

Guide us beyond the simple answers into the complex work of mature love.

When hate seems easier than understanding, grant us courage to choose the harder path.

Show us how to live generously without compromising justice.

How to be gracious without accepting oppression.

Amen.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

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My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.

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Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.