In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus points out that our “enemies” are everyone who does not do good to us. There are a lot of people who fit that description. Jesus is saying that if we don’t do good to these people, we treat them like enemies.
Jesus opens our eyes here, and in Luke 10:25-37, to the fact that everyone, everywhere is actually our neighbor.
At first, this command to “love our enemies” sounds like something that will make our lives harder. But when we look closer, we realize that life would be incredible if we were free to love everyone, even those who take advantage of us. Life would be much more beautiful if we were always at peace, especially with those who want to tear us down.
How do we get this kind of peace? By understanding the deeper meaning Jesus is driving home. Paul got it. Paul, the guy who wrote a very large percentage of the New Testament said this about himself: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul was the worst of all sinners? Worse than a rape artist? Worse than Adolf Hitler?
In his mind he was. In his heart, he understood that without Jesus, he would be an enemy of God. He realized this put him on level playing field with all people. We’re all in the same boat. Without Christ, we’re all enemies of God.
But we can become children of God: Not because of who we are, but because of who He is. Not because of what we’ve done, but because of what He’s done.
This frees us to love all… to hope that all will come to know Jesus… to help everyone, to the best of our abilities, to follow Christ…
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Tuesday, 18. August 2009
This teaching is a very tough pill to swallow. Our flesh wants vengence, justice, and punishment for people who tear us down. But all of that thinking is just poison to our lives. But I believe this is gotta be the hardest addiction to give up. Wanting to hand out judgement for what someone has done to you is just such a natural feeling.
I do want you to clarify though. This is not to say that you should let people walk all over you. And just keep inviting them to step on you. sometime the most loving thing you can do is to ignore them.
Tuesday, 18. August 2009
@ Jon. We could flesh out the clarification you made, and we’d find a lot of Biblical truth to it. There are other parts of the Bible that address what you are saying. So, I agree with it, and thank you for saying it!
However, notice that in this sermon (Matthew 5-7), Jesus doesn’t “clarify” this issue the way you and I want Him to.
I’m with you, I’m immediately thinking of all the situations that need “further clarification.”
Isn’t it interesting that Jesus doesn’t give us what we want here…?
Wednesday, 19. August 2009
Think of how ineffective His ministry would have been if He had given us what we wanted. What does the flesh want?
Thursday, 20. August 2009
@Chris Jesus not giving us our wanted “clarification” is an excellent point. I’ve been in Bible studies where the bulk of the discussion amounted to finding limits and exceptions to the main thrust of Jesus’ message.
We always want to find legitimate reasons to stand up for ourselves. While there are abusive situations that require such an approach, I wonder if we’ve factored in the power of nonretaliation. 1 Cor 6, esp v. 7, comes to mind: “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” Paul’s point is that our witness is more important than whether we are wronged.
“Take up your cross and follow me.” Serious stuff.
Friday, 21. August 2009
1 corinthians 6 speaks directly to conflict between two believers or christians. What about non believers? Throughout the bible it’s pretty clear we should be examples for non believers so in that way it does make it relevant. Ask yourself this question. What’s more important, witnessing to a nonbeliever who has cheated you, or the money or item you were cheated out of?
That’s a more difficult question than I thought. Does it depend on the amount in terms of percentages? I don’t think so. Where is the line drawn? Obviously all revenge is God’s. But I don’t think that means we let people walk on us.