Today's Daily Bread

BE PERFECT

Date : Sunday, February 01, 2026
Passage : Matthew 5:33~48
Keyverse : 48  
33
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ’Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
34
But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
35
or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36
And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37
All you need to say is simply ’Yes’ or ’No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
38
"You have heard that it was said, ’Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40
And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43
"You have heard that it was said, ’Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47
And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Swearing an oath by God or anything else may seem like a great way to make a promise sound. But people can use oaths to deceive. Jesus tells us to always speak with honesty, without needing to swear by anything to make our words true. God’s people are marked by simple and genuine speech.

The Old Testament law of “an eye for an eye” was never meant for personal revenge or retaliation. It was given to protect the innocent, establish justice, and prevent offenders from being punished beyond what they deserved. Jesus calls us to respond to evil with grace and non-resistance. God’s people are to choose mercy over revenge in the name of Christ. True greatness and strength are shown not through retaliation but through restraint and grace.

Jesus commands us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and do good to those who hate us. Is this possible? To love our enemies, we need God’s love—a love that goes beyond natural affection and seeks the good of others, even our enemies. This reflects the heart of God, who cares even for the wicked and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. Jesus’ ultimate purpose for his people through these commands is that we grow to be perfect like our heavenly Father and reflect his love.

Prayer: Lord, I remember your love for sinners like me. Help me love others with that same love.
One Word: Love enemies