Does God really care about how we treat others?
In Jesus famous sermon on the mount he addressed how we should treat others. He tells us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. But it doesn't end there. It's easy to speak kind words to those who hate us and use us, but he goes on to say "do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you" (Matthew 5:44).
God does not give us justification to hate anyone, regardless of the circumstances. But you and I both know that when we hate someone, we do everything in our power to justify our hatred. We convince ourselves that there is nothing wrong with our hatred... of our enemies.
But God is not simply demanding our obedience in this area of our life. He is demonstrating it in His life as well. Consider the next verse:
"For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45)
You see, God is doing exactly what he has asked us to do. He has not simply churned out some nice words and an awkward smile on those who hate him. He "does good to them" by causing the sun to rise and the rain to fall on the evil and the unjust as well as the righteous.
God has made us servants, but not only to those who love us. We are servants to the world, even to those who reject and despise us. We have bold confidence to be obedient in this matter because God has first demonstrated this great love for us.
I pray that you would share the love of Jesus with someone near you, but not necessarily someone you love, as we enter into this holy week.
With love always,
Jay
No comments:
Post a Comment