38“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’g 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies 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.
Really sounds good doesn't it.I agree with you.It really sounds good.Do we really do this though? Do we really do this?More important on a personal level is do I do this?One thing I have found very helpful in this thing called walking with Jesus is introspection.A fancy word meaning looking inward.In 2nd Corinthians 13:5 it says:
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
What does that mean?Looking inward.Holding every thought captive.What are the motivations of our hearts?When someone has wronged us,do we want our pound of flesh....& a lot more?Do we want to extract an eye for an eye...& perhaps the other eye to boot?Do we really turn the other cheek?If someone exacts a legal judgment against us,do we go beyond the judgment to make amends?When someone demands something of us,do we go beyond that demand to show the love of Jesus.When someone asks,do we give?Do we lend?
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Wow.do we do that?I have never really thought of people as enemies.I have gotten angry,sure.But i never thought of people as enemies.Maybe this is a special grace that God has given me,but I wonder sometimes if I process things incorrectly.The only scripture I can give for my disposition on this is found in Ephesians 6:
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
It so helps to have an eternal perspective.The people who wrong you are not the problem.The problem is the motivation they may have,& where that motivation comes from.
It says to love your enemy & pray for those who persecute you.That is a daunting task.In fact,that is an impossible task....without Jesus.I have had to do that this week.I have had to pray for someone who it seems has thought what I have desired to do for them...was somehow not enough or that I was not meeting their standard.In truth,what I offered was never asked for,but if it would never please,a simple no thank you would have been fine.I so care for that person,& still do.It seems that that is not being reciprocated,& either I am wrong in my perception or I am not.The important thing is that my heart for that person has never changed,& the prayers I have prayed for that person have never changed.I actually hear that this person has been blessed recently,& that does my heart good.Do not let hurt,whether perceived or actual hurt,change who you are in Christ.Love people.Unconditionally love people.Very hard to do.I am still learning,& will till the day I draw my last breath.I am not putting myself on a pedestal.I have written this with great fear,but Godly fear.I know that my motivations & my actions are really under scrutiny after writing this.The desire of my heart is for reconciliation toward those I have offended & those who may have offended me.I really don't keep records of wrong.It says in 1st Corinthians 13:4&5;
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love keeps no record of wrongs.OUCH!!!! But that is what it says,& it is the word of God after all.
Life is way to short,& the potential of wasting time in feelings of anger or wanting revenge is too great a price to pay when the harvest is bountiful but the workers are few.This has been a very bumpy ride for me today.It makes me look at things I would rather ignore.You are my brothers & sisters in Christ though,& if I say I love you I can do no less.Look at that last verse.
48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Wow....what an impossible standard.To be like our Father in Heaven.To be found perfect...impossible...unless we are found perfect in Jesus.We need mercy to do this,& yes,we also need grace.I know this has not been a fun ride,but just remember 2 things.1) It was just as unpleasant a ride for me & 2) That walk to Golgotha...what must that have been like?God bless you,& I love you.
Love for Enemies
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies 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.
Really sounds good doesn't it.I agree with you.It really sounds good.Do we really do this though? Do we really do this?More important on a personal level is do I do this?One thing I have found very helpful in this thing called walking with Jesus is introspection.A fancy word meaning looking inward.In 2nd Corinthians 13:5 it says:
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
What does that mean?Looking inward.Holding every thought captive.What are the motivations of our hearts?When someone has wronged us,do we want our pound of flesh....& a lot more?Do we want to extract an eye for an eye...& perhaps the other eye to boot?Do we really turn the other cheek?If someone exacts a legal judgment against us,do we go beyond the judgment to make amends?When someone demands something of us,do we go beyond that demand to show the love of Jesus.When someone asks,do we give?Do we lend?
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
Wow.do we do that?I have never really thought of people as enemies.I have gotten angry,sure.But i never thought of people as enemies.Maybe this is a special grace that God has given me,but I wonder sometimes if I process things incorrectly.The only scripture I can give for my disposition on this is found in Ephesians 6:
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
It so helps to have an eternal perspective.The people who wrong you are not the problem.The problem is the motivation they may have,& where that motivation comes from.
It says to love your enemy & pray for those who persecute you.That is a daunting task.In fact,that is an impossible task....without Jesus.I have had to do that this week.I have had to pray for someone who it seems has thought what I have desired to do for them...was somehow not enough or that I was not meeting their standard.In truth,what I offered was never asked for,but if it would never please,a simple no thank you would have been fine.I so care for that person,& still do.It seems that that is not being reciprocated,& either I am wrong in my perception or I am not.The important thing is that my heart for that person has never changed,& the prayers I have prayed for that person have never changed.I actually hear that this person has been blessed recently,& that does my heart good.Do not let hurt,whether perceived or actual hurt,change who you are in Christ.Love people.Unconditionally love people.Very hard to do.I am still learning,& will till the day I draw my last breath.I am not putting myself on a pedestal.I have written this with great fear,but Godly fear.I know that my motivations & my actions are really under scrutiny after writing this.The desire of my heart is for reconciliation toward those I have offended & those who may have offended me.I really don't keep records of wrong.It says in 1st Corinthians 13:4&5;
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love keeps no record of wrongs.OUCH!!!! But that is what it says,& it is the word of God after all.
Life is way to short,& the potential of wasting time in feelings of anger or wanting revenge is too great a price to pay when the harvest is bountiful but the workers are few.This has been a very bumpy ride for me today.It makes me look at things I would rather ignore.You are my brothers & sisters in Christ though,& if I say I love you I can do no less.Look at that last verse.
48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Wow....what an impossible standard.To be like our Father in Heaven.To be found perfect...impossible...unless we are found perfect in Jesus.We need mercy to do this,& yes,we also need grace.I know this has not been a fun ride,but just remember 2 things.1) It was just as unpleasant a ride for me & 2) That walk to Golgotha...what must that have been like?God bless you,& I love you.
