Verse of the Day 1/24

Matthew 5:43 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,  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Today's verse comes from Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" found in Matthew 5 through 7 which has to be the greatest sermon ever preached.  It is sweeping in its scope and demanding in its application.  Today's declaration is arguably the most demanding command given.  Jesus starts by stating what the common cultural attitude of the day, of the nation as "love your neighbor, hate your enemy".  Once again Jesus shows that if we are to be a follower of His it will mean that we will have to live our lives "counter culturally".  We will constantly be going against the grain as it were.

 

As to the application of this verse there is no "easy" button.  But elsewhere in the Bible we have glimpses of just how this may be accomplished.  In my devotions this morning I read the following verses in 1 Peter.

 

1 Peter 3:15  But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. AMP

 

It starts with setting Christ "apart" in our hearts, acknowledging Him and submitting to Him as Lord.  It speaks of being prepared for the situations that come up.  Have His Word hid in your heart and be "prayed up".  Be ready to share your testimony of what Christ has done for you and give our "defense" of the gospel courteously and respectfully.  This is an area where we too often go off track.  We take the offensive and try to win people over with facts and verses when instead the line from the chorus learned as a teen should be our motto "and they'll know we are Christians by our love." 

 

It didn't come naturally for Peter and it doesn't for us, we must depend on God's grace provided by the Holy Spirit which He has given us.  Read the passage from THE MESSAGE below.  How does it inspire you to live and act today?

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Matthew 5:43-47
The Message (MSG)
43-47 "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.