Daily Bread 2-10-18
The Sermon on the mount(cont'd)
Matthew 5:45-47
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?
478 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?
ref. - Lk 6:32 - For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
As Christians we are made to stand apart. A light on a hill cannot be hid. This is why we have been given the greatest opportunity of all. To be like Christ. He was shamefully mistreated, and he held his peace, he was scorned but he did not scorn, he was punished and he did not fight back, talked about and held his peace. All because he knew that one day the ones who were being used by the enemy to oppress would follow him and, one day, see God. Today, we are those people who have been changed from the oppressors to the disciples. We have been given such great gift in Jesus Christ and we should put forth every energy and devotion to follow that very Savior. In the previous lesson we were told to pray for our enemies and to treat them well. This is what will make us stand out as different than the rest. This is something that society does not do, or can't do, as they are being led by the Sprit of the enemy. And this scripture is to solidify or strengthen that very lesson. What makes us different if we operate the same as the sinner? Doesn't the sinner love and treat his own well? Does he not stick with his band of sinners and call them Brother? So, in essence, we are no different than the sinner when we do these things. What sets us apart is the fact that we turn the other cheek when attacked, and that we bless those that curse us and pray for those that hate us. As the word of God says, it heaps coals on their heads when they are expecting retaliation and instead get blessing. But it is not about heaping hot coals on them, it is about proving to ourselves that we can retain peace if we practice these things. How good we will feel when we have done a good deed even though the world expects the opposite. This, brothers and sisters, is what makes us to stand out as different. This, is what makes us stand out as Christians. The things which are impossible to man, are possible with God.(Lk 18:27) Seek him while he may be found and shine like a beacon in the night! The difference that will show in you will change the world, starting with your own!!! Have a great day!!!