Sunday, November 21, 2021

Today's Passage - Matthew 5:43-48

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english
Matthew 5:43-48
You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Jesus taught us to love our enemies because, first, this is God's will. Had us Christians loved what we love, hated what we hate, then we are no different from gentiles. John 3:16 says, 'God so loved the world'. God didn't say He love 'the good world', but "the world".
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Second, this is the example shown by Jesus. Romans 5:8 says, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  When Jesus was dying on the cross, his first sentence was, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." When a centurion heard this, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" While on the cross, Jesus showed us how to love your enemy. We shall follow that in our daily lives.
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Third, this is the work of Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit pour down the love of Jesus so that we could love our enemies. When Da Vinci was painting 'The Last Supper', he was preparing for painting Judah. He thought, "What on earth was Judah look like?" He immediately thought about the person he despised the most. He thought that this was a perfect chance for revenge, and drew the face of his enemy as Judah. Afterwards, he prepared to paint Jesus. However, he couldn't paint it, and was full of uneasiness. The more he thought about the love of God, the more it was difficult to fall in sleep. Suddenly, he jumped from bed in the middle of the night. He went into the studio, and wiped out face of his sworn enemy. At that moment, he clearly saw the image of Jesus, full of love and forgiveness. The Holy Spirit poured the love of God into his heart, and showed him the way of Jesus.
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In the same way, Holy Spirit showered this love onto us so that we could love our enemies. When we pray for our enemies, Holy Spirit starts the work of deliverance among us. When we give in to God's authority, willing to humbly pray for those who persecute us, the power of the victorious Holy Spirit will manifest in us.
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord, we pray that the love of Holy Spirit will fill us. If we still harbor hatred towards others and are unable to forgive, we pray that the Spirit of God will release our hearts again. Deliver us from the authority of sin and hatred so that our spirit can be free again.  We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!
River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

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