But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44 KJV
Context and Charge:
You may have heard something said very often and by so many people that over time, it seems to be the gospel truth. The context of today's verse suggests that familiarity or repetition does not always support truth. It is very important that I know and follow the truth as laid down by the Truth himself, not what the world thinks. The world will support tit-for-tat, and to love only those who are lovable or who can reciprocate the love, but Jesus is saying here that it is not enough to do the usual and the expected, but all who will follow Him must be ready to go the extra mile. After all, His own life is a testament to that extra mile; we were not lovable at the time He died for our sins, but He laid down his life anyway, in the hope that we will one day surrender our lives back to Him.
As a Christian, my response cannot always match the action. The people I am called to love, bless, do good to and pray for may not understand the reason why I do what I do, but as I live as Jesus commands, my life becomes that message it was saved to be. If I do what the world expects, how do I stand out? If I respond in like manner as others act toward me, how does my life become an example to emulate? If I am indeed a child of God, my father's instructions must be very important to me, and must drive me to obey. Let the world act true to type; I ask God for grace to help me respond as He directs. Men will curse, mistreat and persecute me; I have a choice to respond in kind or to respond with kindness. As always, the power to make a choice is mine.
Conviction and Conclusion:
No matter how hard you try, you will find a situation that matches your past experience or your current situation. Whether people just hate or curse you for no reason, or simply despise and maltreat you, I have a mandate from God, simply because there is the seed of God in me, to respond in a different way. It is God's way of making a change in this generation; making Go known to a world that does not want to reckon with God. I must let the world dictate my reactions or responses; I must allow the Spirit of God flow in and through me to impact the world in which I have been placed. That is purpose, and its discovery and pursuit is the highlight of a man's life. The world eagerly awaits the manifestation of the sons of God. Am I one? Are you? God's time of favour is here.
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