God gives rain to the just and unjust

This is a profound and humbling truth spoken by Jesus Himself, revealing the boundless, impartial nature of God's common grace. It is a testament to His kindness and patience with all of humanity.

Here is a poem and reflection on Matthew 5:45.

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Rain on the Just and Unjust

The rain falls soft upon the field,

A boundless grace that God does yield.

It does not ask,"Are you so good?"

Before it lands where it now should.

It waters both the wheat and weed,

To meet the deepest,basic need.

It falls on him who follows right,

And him who shuns the holy light.

“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,

and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”(Matthew 5:45)

This is the nature of our God,

On whose great path,all men have trod.

His common grace,a gift so free,

For all to taste,for all to see.

It is a sign of mercy's heart,

That gives the world a patient start.

A chance to see His hand of care,

And turn to Him in humble prayer.

It is a call to us, the just,

To love as He does,and to trust

That He alone is the true Judge,

And holds our every single grudge

As something we must lay aside,

With arms of mercy,open wide.

For if He loves the hateful soul,

And makes the broken fragments whole,

Then who are we to hold the line,

And keep our love for the divine?

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

So let the rain, a holy sign,

Soak deep into this heart of mine.

And wash away the prideful thought,

That I have earned the grace I've got.

For I, too, am a soul who stands,

Receiving gifts from nail-scarred hands.

Not because I was good or true,

But because His mercy,like the rain, is new.

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Understanding God's Common Grace:

This statement from the Sermon on the Mount teaches us several crucial things about God's character:

1. He is Impartial: God's providential care is not limited to those who love Him. He shows kindness to all people, giving them life, breath, food, and beauty. This reveals a heart that is fundamentally generous.

2. It Reveals His Goodness: The beauty of a sunset, the joy of a meal, the wonder of a discovery—these are all gifts from God meant to point humanity toward His goodness and lead them to repentance (Romans 2:4).

3. It Sets the Standard for Our Love: Jesus uses this truth to challenge us. If God loves His enemies in this way, we are called to do the same. Our love should not be exclusive or conditional, but should mirror the expansive, unconditional love of our Father.

4. It Highlights a Greater Grace: The "rain" is a picture of common grace—grace given to all. But it points to the need for saving grace—the grace of forgiveness and eternal life found only in Jesus Christ, which is offered to all who believe.

A Prayer of Reflection:

"Father in Heaven,

Thank you for Your rain. Thank you for the sun that rises on me, a sinner, just as it does on the saint. Your common grace is a breathtaking display of Your generous heart.

Forgive me for the times I have felt entitled to Your blessings, or have been stingy with my own love. Help me to see every person as You do—a recipient of Your rain, a soul for whom Christ died.

Give me a heart that loves impartially, that extends kindness to both the just and the unjust, just as You do. Let my life be a reflection of Your perfect, patient, and merciful character.

In the name of Jesus, who loved His enemies to the point of death, Amen."