Inflorescence of a Crown Daisy (Glebionis coronaria) showing the two types of florets. by Alvesgaspar
Good morning, beloved,
Joshua and I went for a walk this morning before the humidity took hold and as we walked and prayed, I kept my eyes up. The wind was strong, moving the trees, the sounds of praise floating through the air. Yesterday, I was singing upfront in worship. And I got a chance to watch the children worship. What a delight! We sang Mighty to Save and the kids belted it out. In fact, I forgot to keep the microphone close because I was so enamored with watching the children lift up the name of Lord.
Well, let’s dive in to our passages for today. I can’t wait to see what the Lord shows us today. Join me? (I wish you could hear Luke singing the song…)
43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;
44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?
47 And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that?
48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Let’s list all that Jesus tells us to do.
- Love your enemies.
- Pray for those who persecute you
- Be perfect..this is what I like about the Amplified…here is the explanation: growing in maturity of godliness of mind and character.
Now, Paul also “fleshes” this out in Romans 12, so…
14 Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].
16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.
18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.
20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.
21 Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.
Live at peace. Repay NO one evil. Never avenge yourselves. Don’t be haughty. Feed your enemies. Overcome evil with good. Where the Law laid a foundation, Jesus was and is the Cornerstone, Paul is putting up the walls and roof. Huh? What I mean is, these words of Jesus are meant to be lived, the words of Paul are meant to be your life, they are the words of God. He began with the Law to give His beloved a boundary and now, the New Testament brought light and life. Not understanding the Law means Jesus and Paul’s words have depth, yes, but do you see how the totality of Scripture brings a depth of understanding that you never had before?
Let’s look at Romans 13
8 Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one’s fellowmen, meeting all its requirements].
9 The commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet (have an evil desire), and any other commandment, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.
10 Love does no wrong to one’s neighbor [it never hurts anybody]. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law.
Love, love brings it all together. Love never hurts anybody. Love meets and fulfills the Law. Now, here’s a question..who is your neighbor?
25 And then a certain lawyer arose to try (test, tempt) Him, saying, Teacher, what am I to do to inherit everlasting life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?
26 Jesus said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it?
27 And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
28 And Jesus said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live [enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God].
29 And he, determined to acquit himself of reproach, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
30 Jesus, taking him up, replied, A certain man was going from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothes and belongings and beat him and went their way, [unconcernedly] leaving him half dead, as it happened.
31 Now by coincidence a certain priest was going down along that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 A Levite likewise came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road].
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him],
34 And went to him and dressed his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine. Then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35 And the next day he took out two denarii [two day’s wages] and gave [them] to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I [myself] will repay you when I return.
36 Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?
37 He answered, The one who showed pity and mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.
Who is our neighbor? Well, certainly it seems to me..everyone. 🙂 No doubt about it. Jesus didn’t leave any room for doubt. It was all people even the most hated: the Samaritan.
Some questions posed by the Precepts study:
- If you are going to have righteousness, how are you to respond to men?
- Who is your pattern?
Those are some difficult questions I urge you to ponder and reflect. May God be glorified in your day today. Pray on, friends. Pray on.
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