Living God’s way: Loving Both Friend and Foe

Carlton G. McPeak Guest Columnist In His sixth “You have heard it said,” quotation, Jesus is telling the crowd that they must love not only their friends, relatives and fellow citizens; but, they must also love their enemies, their foes (Matthew 5:47). Jesus is setting a new standard for His followers to help them to surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). The first half of His quotation probably comes from the book of Leviticus and possibly the second from some other source. Regardless of its origin, it was something the people had “heard” and were practicing. All agree it is easy, and the normal thing to do, to love those who love us. Here Jesus i