In working with people in need I have often heard this scripture loosely applied to how God allows calamity to happen “good” and “bad” people alike. Weather that is true or untrue is not what I want to discuss in this post. I just want us to take another look at the passage that is often referred to in support of that idea in the first place.

Matthew 5:43-48

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.

I think when we look at it more intently we see that it is actually talking about God’s love…not pain, trial or calamity. He is talking about loving people the way that God’s sun covers everyone and His rain falls on everyone. My prayer today is that we will love everyone without discrimination.

In Christ,

Rodney McClure