📖 Matthew 5:43–48

Introduction: How the World Sees Us.

The world sees Christians through our attitude and behavior.
If we act with resentment or hatred toward others, as in Matthew 5:43, the world rejects us. But if we live by Matthew 5:44 — to love, bless, and pray even for those who curse us — then the world may respond with respect or acceptance.

This perfectly explains the title of today’s message: “The Two Faces of a Christian.”
One face is the attitude we show toward the world; the other is how the world perceives us based on that attitude.

Before being born again of water and the Spirit, all of us, at least once, had thoughts or behaviors like those of the world. Matthew 5:43 reflects that: in our old lives, before becoming children of the living God, we may have thought or acted with resentment toward others. But thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus, we can change the way we think and act — and in doing so, transform how the world relates to us.

We used to act as verse 43 says, and that’s why I emphasized the word “was”, because at one point in our old lives, before being born again of water and the Spirit, we thought that way too. Before we were Christians, children of the living God, our Lord and Savior Jesus — the Creator of all — we cannot say, brothers and sisters, that we never thought or said such things, because all of us, at least once, have had them cross our minds.

1. The World.

Christians vs. The Church

The world — all who reject God — also reject those who follow Him.
Why is that? Do they reject God and His followers because of ignorance, little or no faith, or the same reason found in Matthew 5:43 that we just read?

Key Verse:

43 — You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”

Notice the key word: “was.” It points to something that used to be, something that has changed, as reflected in verse 44:

44 — But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

2. The Spiritual Change of a Christian.

The transformation of our spiritual lives affects us greatly:

• We change the way we think.
• We change the way we speak.
• We change the way we dress and present ourselves.
• We change the way we walk — and more.

But it is not us — it is the Spirit of God living within us who performs all these changes.

These changes bring responsibilities, enemies, and difficulties, because we are in the world but not of the world. Those who once were our friends see our transformation and, lacking revelation, become enemies of our faith. Yet we, instead of hating them, feel even more love for them.

3. The Two Faces: The Coin Metaphor.

The two faces of a Christian can be compared to a coin.

When I hold the coin up in front of me, I can only see one side. But the person standing on the other side can see the other face.
If we speak about the face we cannot see, it’s like the world speaking about God without knowing Him.

By seeing only one side, we cannot know the full truth.

If the Lord Jesus was insulted, sentenced to death, scourged, crowned with thorns, beaten, and crucified — what more can we expect to happen to us in this world?

Key Verses and Highlights:

• Matthew 27:26–31: Jesus was scourged, mocked, crowned with thorns, and spat upon.
• Mark 15:15–20: Jesus was flogged, humiliated publicly, and struck with contempt.
• John 19:1–6: Pilate handed Him over to be crucified; He was crowned with thorns and presented before the people in humiliation.

All these events show how the world rejected the very Son of God and remind us that, as Christians, we too may face rejection and adversity for our faith.

4. How the World Sees Us.

This also depends on a person’s biblical knowledge or lack thereof.

Those who have some knowledge of the Bible are the ones who have read it and formed their own interpretations — not only of God’s Word but also of those of us who believe and live according to the Word of our Lord and Savior Jesus.

• Those who know the Bible: often have personal or distorted interpretations, sometimes using the love of God to justify actions contrary to His Word.
• Those who don’t know the Bible: speak based on what they hear or assume, without true understanding. This brings condemnation upon those who judge or gossip.

That’s why we must remain in prayer, so that God reveals the truth — because only the Spirit of God, who inspired the Word, can grant true understanding.

5. The True Revelation: Understanding Through the Word.

Everyone who reads a story creates a different mental image — but only the author knows the exact image.
It’s the same with the Word of God: only God Himself can fully explain it.

Key Verse:
📖 1 Peter 2:4–8

Peter explains that to believe in the Word is to believe in Christ — the precious cornerstone rejected by the builders, which causes the world to stumble but gives believers a foundation on which they will never be put to shame. All who do not believe in Him will be ashamed. That’s why, brothers and sisters, we will always be enemies to the world. We will always be hated and despised. In the church, there are many who attend congregations but are not part of the church. There are many who attend all the services and are not Christians. There are others who call us brothers and sisters and want to harm us. They envy us and treat us with two faces. But everything comes to light in the presence of the Spirit of God, and when the light shines, everything is visible.

6. Inside the Church.

Inside the church, many attend but are not truly part of the Body. Some envy others, act with a double face, and cause harm — but everything is exposed under the light of the Spirit of God.

Key Verses:
📖 Psalm 90:17
📖 Isaiah 5:18–20
📖 Daniel 2:22
📖 Luke 11:33–36

We must ask ourselves: what can we expect if the enemy himself tries to infiltrate the congregation? He seeks to confuse, divide, and destroy faith.
Only those who remain in prayer, fasting, reading the Word, and constant fellowship can fight the good fight.

7. Conclusion.

To the world, we will always be enemies — they will hate and despise us.
But within the church, we must stand firm, guided by the Holy Spirit, so that the work of God is fulfilled.

“We are all part of the Lord’s purpose, and we must remain in His light so that His work may be completed in us.”