LOVE OR BE IMMATURE

LOVE OR BE IMMATURE

Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy.  (44)  But I say, love your enemies! [Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you.] Pray for those who persecute you!  (45)  In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.  (46)  If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.  (47)  If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.  (48)  But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Love is the key to the Christian walk. It is the key to being “perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Thayer’s Greek dictionary defines the word for perfect like this… Thayer Definition:

Τέλειος teleios

1) brought to its end, finished

2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness

3) perfect

4) that which is perfect

4a) consummate human integrity and virtue

4b) of men

4b1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature

Yesterday we talked about not getting even. Today we take this same idea even farther. Don’t just do what you do for your enemy out of a heart of love for the Father, but love your enemy. To do otherwise is to be immature, childish, full of envy and selfishness. Worldly wisdom says, “Make your enemy, that ex-wife or ex-husband, the bully at work or school, the neighbor with the land dispute, make him/her pay.” Look at how James puts it… James 3:15-18 For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.  (16)  For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.  (17)  But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  (18)  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Last night at the supper table my granddaughter, Rena prayed for several things not particularly pertaining to our meal. But one of those things caught my attention. She prayed, “Father, help that old snake to change and be good so he won’t try to hurt anyone anymore.” She was referring to Satan, the ultimate enemy of our souls. She’s almost 4 and she was praying for God to change Satan’s heart. Wow! “And a little child shall lead them.” I don’t think Satan will change, but I’d love to be wrong on that. Never-the-less… Can you pray for and love the Radical Muslim who would take your head for disagreeing with him? Can you pray for and love the ex? The boss? The murderer? The rapist? The bully?

Father in heaven, I really don’t like thinking of myself as immature, but through Your word I see when I don’t love those who would hurt me, when I strive for revenge, when I demand an eye for an eye, when I jockey for position on the road I am being childish. Please help us, Your “true children” to walk in Your love. Help us go beyond just being cordial to really loving our enemy. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!