Bible Reading: Matthew 5
Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
When ranchers brand their calves it is to mark them so that ownership can be determined. If they get on the neighbor’s property, a brand can be used to identify ownership. Love is the mark of the Christian. Jesus said it would be the distinguishing characteristic of his disciples.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
For the follower of Jesus, we do not have a selective love. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
There is to be love within the family.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children…
We are even to love our enemies.
Matthew 5:44 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.
Jesus tells us that a selective love is not a supernatural love. Even the publicans love those who love them. Have you let the love of Christ flow out of you in this way? Do you look for people who are like you to love? Do you love those who agree with you and have a disdain for all others?
It is easy to do this and it is only natural. ‘Birds of a feather flock together’, it has been said. However, the supernatural love of Jesus is the fruit of the Holy Ghost filled life. Natural affection is not supernatural living. Let the love of Jesus flow through you and produce a love for all, even enemies. This love is transformative. Two examples of this kind of love will encourage us:
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Jesus loved and asked for the forgiveness of his enemies as he died on the cross. Stephen, following the example of his Lord asked the Lord not to lay this sin to their charge. These are both incredible acts of love shown toward brutal, murderous enemies. We can love in this way. Jesus can love through us!
In Christ,
Rody
