Brothers and Sisters 😊
📖 In Matthew chapter 5 today we see God’s counter-cultural call for us to give up our earthly rights and comforts for the sake of Christ, and to rise up against our “Eye for an eye” mentality and natural inclination of retaliation…
“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 show yourselves to be the children of your Father in Heaven…For if you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? And If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than the world does? Do not even unbelievers do the same? (vs 43-47).
Q. How do the following statements of Jesus pertain to His followers in the 21st-century?…
“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”
🙏 Heavenly Father please forgive me for the many times I have had thoughts, words, or actions of retaliation toward others, instead of taking the opportunity to honor you with humility, and be salt and light to an angry world that is desperately needy for you.
🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for giving up your perfectly deserved rights and comforts so that rebels and sinners like us could be rescued and redeemed by your costly sacrifice at the cross – Please help us to follow your example of humility and meekness in the face of conflict.
🙏 Holy Spirit empower us to make known the supreme value of our treasure in heaven by being so freed from the love of this world, and so satisfied with the hope of glory, that we are able to love our enemies and not return evil for evil whenever we are wronged in this life…
✝️ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven!”
Matthew 5:11-12
Grace and Gratitude 