Truth Matters by Pastor Dean Brdlik, June 30th

Jesus speaks directly to you and says this:  43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  (Matthew 5:43-46)

Your response might be, “I don’t have any real enemies in my circle so this doesn’t really apply to me.”  It depends how you define “enemies.”  An enemy is not necessarily someone with a gun.  An enemy is more probably someone who antagonizes you...could be a husband or wife or parent or child or a church member or a boss.  “Enemies” come in all shapes and sizes.  The point of Jesus’ admonition is this...God blessed unjust “enemies”...so should you.  Obviously, this is not natural.  Blessing an “enemy” is one of those “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) characteristics given us by the Holy Spirit at the point of our salvation.  But understand, blessing your antagonist by demonstrating love (agape – loving with no expectations or strings attached)  and praying for them, is a capacity you now have, but it is up to you to demonstrate it.   

This is the point of today’s My Utmost for His Highest:

“God’s laws are unchangeable and there is no escape from them. The teachings of Jesus always penetrate right to the heart of our being.

Wanting to make sure that my adversary gives me all my rights is a natural thing. From our Lord’s standpoint it doesn’t matter whether I am cheated or not, but what does matter is that I don’t cheat someone else. Am I insisting on having my own rights, or am I paying what I owe from Jesus Christ’s standpoint?

Do it quickly— bring yourself to judgment now. In moral and spiritual matters, you must act immediately. If you don’t, the inevitable, relentless process will begin to work. God is determined to have His child as pure, clean, and white as driven snow, and as long as there is disobedience in any point of His teaching, He will allow His Spirit to use whatever process it may take to bring us to obedience. The fact that we insist on proving that we are right is almost always a clear indication that we have some point of disobedience. No wonder the Spirit of God so strongly urges us to stay steadfastly in the light! (see John 3:19-21).

Have you suddenly reached a certain place in your relationship with someone, only to find that you have anger in your heart? Confess it quickly— make it right before God. Be reconciled to that person— do it now!”

In Romans 12, God expands upon our responsibilities when confronted by our “antagonists:”

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty... Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil...18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, ... 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; ...21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  (Romans 12)

My prayer for you and me this day is this:  Lord, help us to be trophies of Your love.  It is so easy for us to become disillusioned, resentful, vindictive.  We pray for Your love to be manifested in us.  Empower us by Your Spirit.  Amen

Walk with the King today and be a blessing.