Today's Bible Reading:
Genesis 13:5-15:21; Matthew 5:27-48; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 1:29-33
This year as I get back into writing my blog I am not going to set a schedule but try to write at least once or twice a week. This part of my reading process is so valuable to me as I actually spend time thinking about what I am reading. It is good to contemplate what God has to say to me through His word and not just check the box that I got my reading done.
Today I am mulling over a passage that of course is quite familiar, but it hit me in a new way this morning as I read it. Matthew 5:43-48.
Today I am mulling over a passage that of course is quite familiar, but it hit me in a new way this morning as I read it. Matthew 5:43-48.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (NASB)
The NLT translates verse 45 this way: "In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." Acting as a true child of my Father in heaven. Isn't that exactly what I want to do with my life? As I read these verses about loving your enemy I was struck by the thought that we have the perfect example of that in Jesus to follow. He is the demonstration of what it means to love your enemies. Romans 5:10 and Colossians 1:21 both speak about our previous relationship to God. He came to earth while we were His enemies. "This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions." (Col. 1:21, NLT) That my friends is love! That is who God is! And if I am indeed a child of God, bought with His blood, saved by His grace, how can I do any less than love "my enemies?" Oh, but it is something I know I cannot do just by deciding to do it. I pray to have God's heart for people. To see them as He sees them. Do I look at my "enemies" and consider that I could be that light in the world they need to see so that they too are no longer enemies but friends.
The NLT translates verse 45 this way: "In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." Acting as a true child of my Father in heaven. Isn't that exactly what I want to do with my life? As I read these verses about loving your enemy I was struck by the thought that we have the perfect example of that in Jesus to follow. He is the demonstration of what it means to love your enemies. Romans 5:10 and Colossians 1:21 both speak about our previous relationship to God. He came to earth while we were His enemies. "This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions." (Col. 1:21, NLT) That my friends is love! That is who God is! And if I am indeed a child of God, bought with His blood, saved by His grace, how can I do any less than love "my enemies?" Oh, but it is something I know I cannot do just by deciding to do it. I pray to have God's heart for people. To see them as He sees them. Do I look at my "enemies" and consider that I could be that light in the world they need to see so that they too are no longer enemies but friends.
Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Debra
Debra
RSS Feed