Matthew 5:43-48
Relax, Read and Reflect
Prayer- Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[
] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons 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. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
This is an offensive statement to many people today. Our enemies are trying to kill us, or worse, trying to spread a different religion in the world. How can we love our enemies and still stay in control of the world?
The last part of these verses are very strong. If we only love our friends, how are we different from our enemies? How can we convince ourselves we are better if we act the same? Jesus wants us to be perfect. Wow! How are we supposed to be perfect? There has only been one perfect person and humanity killed him.
Jesus understands us, after all, He was a person. We are to be perfect in as much as our maturity level demands. If we are children, perfection is easier than if we know how to act. Here is the rub- now you know.
Prayer- Lord, Help us love our enemies. Help us strive for the perfection your love demands. It will only be with Your help that we could ever act that way. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Viva Jesus!
Prayer- Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[
] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons 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. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
This is an offensive statement to many people today. Our enemies are trying to kill us, or worse, trying to spread a different religion in the world. How can we love our enemies and still stay in control of the world?
The last part of these verses are very strong. If we only love our friends, how are we different from our enemies? How can we convince ourselves we are better if we act the same? Jesus wants us to be perfect. Wow! How are we supposed to be perfect? There has only been one perfect person and humanity killed him.
Jesus understands us, after all, He was a person. We are to be perfect in as much as our maturity level demands. If we are children, perfection is easier than if we know how to act. Here is the rub- now you know.
Prayer- Lord, Help us love our enemies. Help us strive for the perfection your love demands. It will only be with Your help that we could ever act that way. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Viva Jesus!
posted by Steve Killam TMTL | 8:21 PM
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