Today’s Inspiration: Jesus shared, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45. This was one of the most impossible discipleship session by Jesus with the disciples.
Everything that Jesus taught was pointing to His Cross of Calvary and Resurrection, the finished work of Christ. It was never possible for anyone to love his or her enemies, or to walk on this earth without sin, except the Son of God. It may be possible to die for someone you loved or cared for but who would do it for a sinner?
“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?” Matthew 5:46-47 Christianity doesn’t begin in the Church, it began at the Cross, a life fully given to God and others. “Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21. Let’s choose today to listen and respond to the gospel and obey God’s commands.
Prayer: O Lord My God, for greater is Christ in me to love, bless and do good to those who may have done harm to me, that I may partake your grace at Calvary, and receive atonement by your stripes. Give me strength and resilience in thy Spirit to do the impossible and touch the lives of others like you did, in Jesus Name, Amen.