To love those who do not love you is not offered as a piece of pragmatic wisdom, but as a reflection of the character of God himself who gives a fruitful earth, through rain and sun, to all people regardless of the motives or character. 

- Tim Keller

I apologize if you find the following question blasphemous: Which Bible verse do you really dislike? Is there one you wish they’d just left out (if we’re being totally honest)? If you’re hesitant to answer, I’ll be vulnerable and go first:

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is throwing down some of his greatest teachings and in Matthew 5:43-47 Jesus delivers a message that challenges the very core of our human instincts:

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?

For many, myself included, this passage is a stumbling block because it calls us to love those who might cut us off in traffic, irritate us at work, or even betray our trust. It’s not even just a “best practices” suggestion, it’s a command! It’s a radical call to embody a love that transcends our human instincts, a love that reflects the character of God.

In his book “Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?”, Tim Keller says, “To love those who do not love you is not offered as a piece of pragmatic wisdom, but as a reflection of the character of God himself who gives a fruitful earth, through rain and sun, to all people regardless of the motives or character.”

Keller challenges us to move beyond the transactional nature of human relationships, where love is often given to those from whom we seek affirmation or benefit. What if, instead of a mere Biblical command, this radical love was also a key to personal and professional success?

Consider how applying the principles of Matthew 5:43-47 could revolutionize our lives. What if loving unconditionally, as Jesus teaches, could lead to more successful leadership, healthier marriages, and more productive workplaces? What if this command could make the organization, you lead a healthier one?

The normal human inclination is often self-interested and transactional, rooted in giving love where we anticipate receiving love. Imagine the transformative power of embracing a love that seeks the good of others without expecting anything in return.

For those of us in the “people business,” (which is all Christians, in actuality) this passage is not merely a Biblical command but a catalyst for profound transformation. It has the potential to revolutionize our churches, workplaces, marriages, and friendships. Jesus certainly wasn’t teaching organizational health, but the implications are critical to our ability to create healthy church and staff cultures.

I pray that you might join me in finding real, practical ways to begin living out these very difficult verses and that it would bear fruit in our churches, places of business, our marriages, and our friendships!

The Best is Yet to Come,

Daniel