A good reminder from bible study this week.
Matthew 5: 43-48
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, that 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
A friend recently told me she doesn't want to be called Christian any longer because it is only synonyms with the word hypocrite. I feel this verse calls us, Christians, back to truly what a Christian is called/ defined by- simply, love. But not just any love. Love that is defined by God and is His own. His love is not a pampering love that allows you to do what is comfortable. It is a love that is not marred by feelings. No, simply it is a action, a choice. This love is one that speaks truth and rebukes sin, judges and confronts sin. It is a love that was demonstrated for us while we were still considered Christ's enemies, when he was beaten, bruised, mocked, and tortured till death on a cross. Yes, Christ demonstrated that we should love ALL.
We are not to love showing partiality to those that loved us first. If we do this we are just like everyone else. What sets us apart as changed and impacted by Christ is when we love those that do not love us, to love every person we come into contact, even the people that make life difficult.
Final thoughts from Proverbs and Corinthians:
Proverbs 24: 17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away
Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
1 Corinthians 13:6
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Therefore love, and love as your heavenly Father.
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