Todays passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5-7&version=NIV#en-NIV-23278
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged and instructed believers about important issues like witnessing, obedience, prophecy, anger, lust, divorce, integrity, retaliation, loving our enemies, caring for the poor, prayer, fasting, money, criticizing others, going to heaven, servanthood, and faith. As you read today’s passage, keep in mind what Jesus says in Matthew 5:17 - that He came to fulfill the law. Jesus is the personification of love and as you read today, you will see that love fulfills all aspects of the law. The fulfillment of the law requires taking the law a step further so that we don’t follow it for the sake of the law, but we follow it for the sake of love. For example, in Matthew 5:21 – 22, Jesus explains how the 6th commandment should be fulfilled with love:
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.”
Just being angry is enough to have sin in your heart. Jesus taught that anger must be replaced with love and forgiveness. Jesus is just as interested in the condition of our hearts as he is in our actions.
At the end of chapter 5, Jesus refers to Leviticus 19:18 which says:
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus explains that this law is to be fulfilled with love in Matthew 5:44:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Quite frankly, some people are just hard to love, but Jesus commands us to be intentional about loving EVERYONE. We hate people for a lot of reasons - because of their skin color or their sexual preference; because they've mistreated or abused us in some way; because they don't have the same religious or political beliefs as we do; sometimes we even hate others because we are jealous of them.
What Jesus is asking might sound pretty impossible - and without Christ, it is. With Him, however, all things are made possible. So as you read today’s passage, think about how applying love to the Old Testament law allows it to be filled. Think about the areas in your heart where the law of love is not present. Ask God to get involved in your endeavor to use love as a fulfillment of the law. Ask him to nurture a desire in you; to build a strength in you; and to develop a heart in you that produces actions that demonstrate God’s love.
Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
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The opposite spirit. Years ago a young lady at New Caney High School was slandered by a group of football players and cheerleaders. She was horrified at the viciousness of the rumors they were spreading about her character. What was she to do? How could she face these people? Would she give her heart over to hatred and anger for the lies they were spreading? Upon the advice of her pastor, she would not switch high schools but rather she would attack this spirit with the opposite spirit. With God’s help, she would honor God by loving on these people. She would render blessing for cursing.
ReplyDeleteShe obtained a year book and started to memorize faces and names. As she walked down the hallway, she would great each student by name and say hello. On birthdays, she would wish them happy birthday. Everywhere she went, she smiled and loved on people. Into her sophomore year, she kept it up. Little by little, things started to change. Into her junior year, she still made an effort to love these people.
Finally, in her senior year, the fruit of her obedience paid off. The principal approached her and told her, “This has never happened before at New Caney?” “You have won the award,” replied the principal. “Which one?”, she replied. The principal said, “All of them” She was voted most popular, most friendly, most likely to succeed, most beautiful, most …. The list goes on. The principal graciously asked her to accept the honor of being “Ms. New Caney High School” and then they would give the other awards to the runner ups. She accepted.
Love does triumph over evil and it also covers a multitude of sins. With the Spirit of God at work in our hearts, we can love the unlovable. After all, God loves us!
American blessedness verses Jesus blessedness. We hear a lot of preaching about God blessing us and being blessed. Yet, Jesus states clearly who is blessed. We tend to think blessed are the rich! Blessed are the healthy, blessed are us who live in America. Funny how Jesus’ definition is almost the opposite of what we think: blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are you when people insult you….
ReplyDeleteWhy are these considered blessings? When these things happen, Jesus shows up to help us and comfort us and where ever Jesus’ presence is, there is a blessing!