Take Away - SOM 12

I am still processing the Sermon on the Mount. I have gone through the 25 posts and edited them for clarity and to revisit them for myself. Now I want to look at the applications I should be making for myself.

SOM - Part 12

 Jesus continues His teaching with some radical ideas in these verses. Radical even by today's standards. Loving people is fine. Love those you don't know. But love your enemies? Until we realize that God loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8), this will not make sense. Jesus has spent quite a bit of time convincing us that we are sinners, that we fall short. I wonder what would happen if many preachers gave this kind of a sermon. Perhaps many would start looking for a new church, or he would have to start looking for a new job. That's a part of the problem with the church structure we have today. 

Take Away: I need to see others through God's eyes, and not through my old, selfish eyes. That is hard! Especially when the offense is ongoing. It is one thing to be harmed and upset by that fact, and then the offending party apologizes. But when the offense continues, and you still have to forgive, you still have to pray for them. But that is being a reflection of the kind of love that God has for us. He not only loved us while we were still sinners, He continues to love us through our continuing sins and imperfections! Just imagine if God loved us the way that we often love others, we would be without hope! So when Jesus tells us that we should be perfect "as your heavenly Father is perfect, I don't believe that He is saying that once we are forgiven we then have to be perfect. I believe He is encouraging us to love perfectly as God loves us. That is still a tall order if taken to heart! 

Jesus Loves Me (Ephesians 4:9-16)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 4:9-16

(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

COMMENT

(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

I believe that Paul, being led by the Spirit, is making a clarifying statement here. There were those who did not believe in the humanity of Jesus, or the fact that Jesus came from heaven to earth. But how could Jesus return to heaven, unless He had first came down to earth, and how could He return, unless He was here?

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

Jesus did not leave us alone once He returned to heaven. He gave us the equipment needed to be able to mature. Apostles, evangelists, shepherds, teachers all helped fulfill that need. Eventually the New Testament would be added to that list. 

But not all prophets, evangelists, etc. are genuine. I believe that is where Scripture comes in. It is the measure against deception and the deceptive practices of Satan. Problem is, how many people really know enough about the Scriptures to use them as a basis for deception prevention? Scripture even speaks of those who only hear what their itching ears want to hear. Therefore, the blame lies with both the speaker and the audience. 

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes

See, there is the element of "human cunning" that we must be aware of. The immature will not only believe such people, they will pursue them. 

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love

Love, the L word. I think that many have misinterpreted this word. Some think it means giving only good things. But parents who only give good things, and never discipline their children, those children do not grow up to be the kind of people that others want to be with. No one likes to hang around with spoiled, selfish people. Speaking the truth in love sometimes means saying things that others might not want to hear. But if it is done in love, it is not done to harm them, but rather for their good. Telling someone that they are saved when they are not is probably one of the cruelest things a person could do. Just look at how the body grows and develops. If all you ever did was feed a body, and did not ever let that body experience exercise or work of any kind, it would not be a very strong body. If we want to grow into Christ, we need food, but also exercise. We need the love of a parent who awakens their child and sends them off to school, not the false love of one who lets the child go back to bed because they don't like school. We need to teach and be aware of that kind of love.

He Can Do All This and More (Ephesians 3:20-21)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

COMMENT

I could have easily tacked these verses on to the last post, since they are in keeping with the train of thought in those verses, but decided to do otherwise. 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think

I believe that the "him" in these section refers to God the Father. Just how powerful is God? ALL powerful. To think that God is too busy dealing with larger, perhaps even world problems to bother Him with our issues is to under estimate God power. God is the ultimate multi-tasker, able to keep the planets in motion, the stars in place, and still had time to count the hairs on your head. In fact, this verse seems to say that no matter how much we ask, He could to more. Much more. Not that we should twist this into some kind of prosperity-minded theology, but God is able to take care of our needs, whatever they are. 

according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

No, this is not saying that our faith can limit His power, but I believe that is saying that the miracles God works when He does choose to show Himself, reveal His glory, and confirm the glory of His Son Jesus, and this will continue throughout the ages. 

God is not only the Father of Jesus, He is our Father as well. And as a father, He is the one who makes the decisions about what He will do for us. We have to trust that. Some fathers spoil their children, and those children have an unrealistic expectation of what a father should do. A good father does not give in to the every whim of their child or children. In fact, a good father might even allow His child to suffer in order that the child might know and understand things. This is the challenging part of being a father. God has the resources to do all we ask and more. Doesn't mean He is bound by some cosmic obligation to do so. Look at what He has already done. Give Him the praise He is due. Know that in the end, His love will provide for us. That is what we need.

Spirit verses Flesh (Ephesians 3:14-19)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

COMMENT

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named

What reason? Perhaps the things he was just speaking of. That God is in charge. That all that Paul has and is comes from the grace of God. That Paul is the least of all of the saints. That God is now choosing to reveal His plan, That we not lose heart because of the circumstances we are in... Paul bows before God, because he know both, who God is and who he (Paul) is. 

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith

Paul's prayer is for strength in the inner being, our spirit. No promises of prosperity, perhaps even speaking of the difficulties that must be endured. Not overcome, endured. Like Jesus had to endure the cross. That in our spirit, we may find strength in Christ.

that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Maybe lacking in material possessions, which can and will pass away, but rather be filled with the fullness of God, which cannot be taken and will not pass away. And God is love. But do we even understand that word today? Seems that many think that love is a weak thing, that just gives with no thought of the consequence of the gift to the one who receives it. Or that love demands that we get what is coming to us. How many commercials use the words, "You deserve...?" Like, get all the benefits you deserve. You deserve a nicer, newer car. And so on. So we have a mentality that we deserve anything and everything, just because. But this kind of thinking ends when we can't pay the credit card or make the house or car payment. Try telling the bank you should get to keep something just because you deserve it. But that is the mentality in America today. 

I can't help but hear the words of Matthew 18:8. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

Not Without the Spirit (Ephesians 1:15-23)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 1:15-23

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

COMMENT

Have you ever wondered how the early church grew, thrived, or even survived without men who had seminary degrees, without bloggers, without TV evangelists? My only conclusion can be that it was the working of the Holy Spirit in the believers of the early church. Paul sees this and is thankful for this. I love the phrase, "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you." That speaks to me of the fact that no matter what we think or do, God is in control. I fear that we have lost some of this. Not because God is less powerful, but because we place our faith in knowledge over love. The preacher is exalted as the divine orator of God's plans, and we are to fall in line. I think of the millionaire mega-pastors. I think of a pastor in our city who convince his congregation to move to a new site, buy a large parcel of land, and build a mega building. Then, they would attract new businesses to that area, and sell off some of the extra land to pay for it all (at a handsome profit, of course). Then the 2008 recession hit. They ended up having to lay off some of their staff. I am sure that programs had to be altered, and perhaps their giving to missionaries as well. The pastor soon took a position somewhere else. Having been in ministry for a few years, having gone to church for many others, and even working as a teacher in a Christian school, I have other stories I could tell... 

I wonder if the Jews, who did not understand about the true mission of the Messiah, laughed at the Christians when they suffered. Maybe a "How's your Jesus working for you now!" might have been uttered. But these Christians knew that it was not about an earthly kingdom or for our ease and comfort that Jesus bled and died. 

The church, and I mean the real, universal body of true believers is His body, is the fullness of Him. Not the local congregation, although there are some that fulfill this role well. While others put on an impressive show of wealth and piety. I think we would do well to measure our actions against those of the Jewish leaders Jesus constantly had to contend with. I think we would do well to remember that our mission is not to grow or save the church. God has been doing a great job of taking care of that for years. Our mission is to respond to our salvation in love for God and others. Our mission is to reveal His glory through our lives and not our buildings or programs. I think of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

I am not against buildings or programs. But without love, without submission to God' Holy Spirit, it really is in vain.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Wow! I really did not see that going there this morning.

Hosea 5

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 5

COMMENT

Guilty. They are all guilty of sin, the priests, Israel, you, me, all! The line, "For the spirit of whoredom is within them, for they do not know the Lord." (Vs 4) is so full of condemnation. This is more than a simple mistake, it is flat out rebellion. Own it! (Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.")

Also, "Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. (Vs 4) It's true. Outside of some divine intervention, salvation is out of reach!

God is the answer, but they tried other remedies. (Vs. 13) But to no avail. When will it end? When they acknowledge their guilt and seek God's face. When they truly repent of their behavior and attitudes. What will bring this about? Only their distress. Only God, in love, taking away His mercy so that they can see again, and not be blinded by the good things of God, which sometimes get in the way of truly seeing God. 

1 Thess 2:4-8

SCRIPTURE

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

COMMENT

This is how the gospel should be presented. Not to please or entice with games or activities. Not to seek after the hearts of men, but to seek after the heart of God. Not with flattery or pretty words of praise for the audience, but with praise for God. Not with a heart that asks what we can get out of it, whether it be financial gain or praise for our doings. Sharing without expecting a return. Kind, but in the kindness preaching truth and not fluff. Where is that preaching?

Romans 13:8-10

SCRIPTURE

Romans 13:8-10
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

COMMENT

The one who loves has fulfilled the law. But what if one has a messed up notion of what love is? I have heard a lot of different ideas of what love is. Have you ever heard, "Love means never having to say you are sorry?" I can't think of a much more messed up idea of love than that. You hurt someone, then I suppose they are just supposed to forgive you without ever discussing it. Sounds like something made up by an abusive spouse. It says in this passage, that love does no wrong to a neighbor. Is that why we never have to say, "Sorry!" How many of us can love like that?

I believe that to love is to admit your shortcomings, to talk about the times that you may have been hurt or hurt someone else. Love is the delicate balance between giving everything for others without becoming a doormat. But maybe my idea of love is messed up.

Commandments are mentioned, let's just take the first one, don't commit adultery. Jesus said that to look at another woman lustfully was to commit adultery. What about not committing murder? Jesus said to insult your brother makes you liable to the council, to call them a fool and you are liable for hell. I hope you get the idea. Love is more than just obeying the law.

Romans 12:9-21

SCRIPTURE

Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

COMMENT

For someone who preaches against those who would have us live up to a law standard, Paul sure likes to tell people what to do. But look at what he is asking. Love, don't be lazy, rejoice, pray, be generous, etc. Perhaps he is not telling us what to do, but instead is sharing what a living sacrifice looks like. If repentance is more than just turning your back on sin, if it is turning your sights on God, then people who have spent their lives living for themselves need to hear this.

Jesus spent a lot of time telling people how to act as well. Look at the Beatitudes, in fact, the entire Sermon on the Mount. Jesus takes the law to the next level. Not only is adultery wrong, but to look at a woman lustfully is too. This is a standard no one can accomplish! It is also a standard that requires a change of heart.

Paul seems to echo this kind of thinking toward the end, where he talks about not repaying evil for evil, but overcoming evil with good. This is not a natural human tendency! It requires a change of heart and a change of thinking. It is why we need instruction on what it means to call ourselves Christians.

Is God Unjust? (Romans 9:14-18)

SCRIPTURE

Romans 9:14-18
What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

COMMENT

I think saving faith in God is more than just the belief that He exists. Even the demons believe, and shudder! (James 2:19) No, the kind of faith that saves us also goes to the character of God and our willingness to put ourselves in His hands no matter the circumstance. (See Philippians 4:11,12) So we don't understand why children have to die, why I lost my job, why a friend or relative died of cancer. I do not let that shake my belief that God is in control and has all things in His hands, and that in the ultimate end, he does work all things for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose.

What if Calvin was (mostly) right? What if Arminius was (mostly) right? What if they were both wrong? What if you get to heaven, and grandma is not there, like the preacher at her funeral said she would be? Do you want to leave now? One of the things that I find ironic is people who do not believe in God because He does not do things the way they would do things. That is like when the 5 year old screams and says, "I do not love you!" because he has to eat beans instead of ice cream with his meal.

Faith, love, and trust all go hand in hand. To follow Jesus is not only to believe that He exists, but also to love and trust Him. Are you willing to let Him lead, and follow wherever He takes you? God is not unjust, but sometimes we might not be able to comprehend His justice. That does not make Him wrong, it makes us wrong. Like the 5 year old.

No Greater Verse? (Romans 8:1)

SCRIPTURE

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

COMMENT

Perhaps there is no greater verse in the Bible than this one. This verse affirms and sums up the gospel in 13 words.

In this verse is hope. In it is promise. In it is salvation. In it is love. In it is redemption. What more do I need today?

God's Love (Romans 5:6-11)

SCRIPTURE

Romans 5:6-11
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

COMMENT

God loves us. How do we know this? We look at what He has done, that is what should convict us of His love. The fact that He would suffer and die in the person of Christ for our sins should be all it takes. It should not be our health, our social status, or any other issue because those all pale in comparison to grace. God does not earn our love through His work, it evidences his love.

God was not under obligation to save us. As creator of the universe, it would be His right to make the universe any way He chose, create us in any fashion, and then do with us whatever He pleases. Do we really understand that? He could have created a much more challenging and painful existence for us. No drugs to combat diseases, no knowledge of technology for us, no balance of nature, etc. It could be so much worse. This does not belittle the suffering of some. Some do have a miserable existence, and I do not know why people get the hand that is dealt to them. I just know that some, even in the darkest of moments, can look up to Him and offer praise. Others, having so much will not even acknowledge His existence. Yet He loves us all. He provides rain and sun for those who suffer and those who can sit in a cool house with the AC on.

I cannot explain why things are created the way they are. Neither can anyone else. I think it is the utmost arrogance for people to think that somehow God needs to answer to their level of understanding. For some, it is as if they could create a better universe if they were God. But they can't because they aren't. We can't even agree on how to manage a country, let alone create a universe where everyone would be satisfied.

Yes, sometimes it is hard to rejoice, but that is mainly because we have found something to be dissatisfied with. Paul rejoiced in the most difficult of circumstances. Ironic, because from some of the clues given in Scripture, Paul had a vision problem. Perhaps the fact that he could not see with his physical eyes enabled his spiritual vision to be much greater.

God's Kindness (Romans 2:4)

SCRIPTURE

Romans 2:4
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

COMMENT

God is love. I hear a lot of people say that, and I wholeheartedly agree. But love is not the only quality that God possesses. He is also holy, just, omnipotent, and omnipresent to name a few others. All of these qualities are in the God that we should be worshiping. So the same God that loves us, also requires our holiness.

When God is patient with us, why would that be? Many view that from our perspective, saying that because God loves us, He only wants the best for us. Again, I agree. But what is best for us? Is it a pain free life? Is it health and wealth? I don't think so. I think it is holiness, because without holiness no one will see God. When God is patient with us, according to this verse, it is to lead us to repentance, and repentance is hard! True repentance is to turn from a self-centered life to a life this is focused on God. It is a life that replaces its own goals with goals that focus on pleasing God. Not because God needs this, but because we do. God is almighty, and our sin, while breaking His heart, does not ruin His eternity. It breaks His heart because of what it does to us. If I die in my sins, God is still God. The creator of a vast universe, including a multitude of stars, planets, galaxies and more is not going to be belittled by a fleeting speck of dust not honoring Him.

Repentance. Not just turning away from sin, but turning to God. That is where God's kindness should lead us.

Who Do You Love? Matthew 10:34-39

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 10:34-39
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

LANGUAGE

Vs 34  peace - (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity: — one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
Vs 34  sword - a knife, figuratively, war, judicial punishment: — sword.
Vs 36  enemy - hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan): — enemy, foe.
Vs 37  loves - phileō; to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling
Vs 38  worthy - deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise): — due reward, meet, (un-)worthy.
Vs 39 lose - to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively: — destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.

COMMENT

I think this section of Scripture is often overlooked. And for good reason, it seems to ask a lot from us, and today, that is not a popular thought. We want the comfy Jesus. The feels good Jesus. The Jesus who is ONLY full of love and compassion. This Scripture leads me to believe that picture is not a complete picture of Jesus.

This section begins with a statement that Jesus did not come to bring peace to the earth. That word translated peace can also be implied to mean prosperity. I actually find this to be a better translation, because of how our minds see things. Jesus, getting ready to leave His disciples, tells them, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27-28) Same Greek word. But notice He qualifies it by saying, "my peace," and not the peace (or prosperity) of the world. Ephesians 2:14 tells us, "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace." Again, same Greek word. Jesus did not come to bring the peace or prosperity that most of the world chases after. His peace is different, in that it rests on our faith in an eternal God and the Son he sent. This is the interpretation that best connects with His Sermon on the Mount, as well as many of His other teachings.

Jesus came to bring a sword. Many times the word sword indicates judgement, and I believe that may be the case here. I do not believe that Jesus intentionally came to tear families apart, but that He know that many times this would be the result. Perhaps you have not experienced that, but many have. In some cultures, to confess Christ is to get an instant rejection from family, thus forcing some to forfeit the peace that the know. Even within "Christian" households, a radical acceptance or devotion to Jesus may be frowned upon, causing a person to think twice about what it really means to be a Christian.

Many families are tight knit groups. I find it interesting that the word "love" here is not the Greek "agape," but rather the Greek "phileo." Agape being a stronger, more committed love and Phileo being a friendship (think Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love).  Jesus calls His disciples "friends" (Greek: philo) in John 15:15. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.  The bond that friends have is different than the bond that a husband/wife or other relatives might have. Jesus seems to be saying that if our friendship is not the utmost among all of your friendships, it is not worthy of the type of friendship this relationship needs. He is not telling us to hate our families. But He does know that our friendship with Him might cause a strain on some relationships. This is where I see the idea of judgement coming in. Not that Jesus needs to judge us in this, but we can judge ourselves as to whether or not truly He is our friend.

To take up our cross is not a pretty picture. Have you seen, "The Passion of the Christ?" That is a choice we must make. Not a choice to just accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, but a choice to actually mean those words. It is as if the choice were to accept Him as Lord OR Savior. Yes, I'll take Savior please, but I still want to be lord of my own life. That is not an option. Lord means master, and if Jesus is not both your Lord and your Savior, that's a problem.

Jesus concludes saying, "Whoever finds his life will lose it." That word lose carries with it the idea of destruction. So He is effectively saying, "Whoever is their own lord will destroy their life." Looking at the big picture, where eternity is concerned, this is without a doubt, the truth.

Who Do You Love? Matthew 5:43-48

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 5:43-48

LANGUAGE

Vs 44 Love - agape. Love in a social or moral sense
Vs 44 Enemies - hateful, odious, actively hostile. An adversary, Satan
Vs 44 Persecute - to make run or flee, drive away
Vs 48 Perfect - completeness

COMMENTS

I believe this section just continues and furthers the thoughts of the previous section. Man's way of thinking is love those who love you, hate those who hate you. I believe we can clearly see this expressed in our current political scene in America. It is called Partisan Politics. One of the things I find interesting about it is the blindness of those to even consider what the other side is saying. When we hate, I believe there is a blindness that goes along with that emotion. I also think other emotions have a similar effect, anger, greed, and fear for example.

But if we are blind, can we be sons of God? Aren't the blind the ones walking into the pits or following other blind people into them? (Matthew 15:12-14)

Love them. Hope for the best for them. Pray for the best for them. Have compassion on them. DO not let your negative emotions drain both their spirit and yours. God loves them. God sends rain to earth, and all benefit from it, not just those who love Him. To hate those who hate you is to be like those who hate you. That just might be a hard pill to swallow. To say hello to only those who will return the greeting does not show love to them. Who knows, you just might open a door to be able to reason with them. Perfection is tough. But to be complete is our goal.