Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 29 July 2015 - "Distinctive Mark" Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 29 July 2015 - "Distinctive Mark" Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48RG AUDIO 072915

Matthew 5:38 “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’[Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21] 39 But I tell you not to stand up against someone who does you wrong. On the contrary, if someone hits you on the right cheek, let him hit you on the left cheek too! 40 If someone wants to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well! 41 And if a soldier forces you to carry his pack for one mile, carry it for two! 42 When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something from you, lend it to him.

43 “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Love your neighbor[Matthew 5:43 Leviticus 19:18] — and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 Then you will become children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun shine on good and bad people alike, and he sends rain to the righteous and the unrighteous alike. 46 What reward do you get if you love only those who love you? Why, even tax-collectors do that! 47 And if you are friendly only to your friends, are you doing anything out of the ordinary? Even the Goyim do that! 48 Therefore, be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

"Distinctive Mark" by Author: Tabita Rothmann Gonzalez

It is human nature to fight back whenever we are threatened, whenever we are treated unjustly, or whenever we are hurt. However, it is godly to show mercy and love, even when we don’t get the treatment we hoped for.
The fact we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us is the very distinctive mark we carry as Christians. It is good to know that the love God shared with us is sufficient to help us to love our enemies. It might not be an easy task. Yet, we can see God working in our lives when we do so. It is a matter of faith and trust in the Lord who loves us–as well as those who hurt us. His redemption plan includes all humanity, even our enemies!
That does not mean we will remain in the place of suffering just for the amusement of our enemies. But, it means we will pray for those who persecute us. It means that whenever we have the opportunity to payback we will offer compassion instead. It also means that, when needed, we will suffer in order to create what is good.
Hymn for Today: "A Charge To Keep I Have" by Charles Wesley

1. A charge to keep I have, 

a God to glorify, 

a never-dying soul to save, 

and fit it for the sky. 

2. To serve the present age, 

my calling to fulfill; 

O may it all my powers engage 

to do my Master's will! 

3. Arm me with jealous care, 

as in thy sight to live, 

and oh, thy servant, Lord, 

prepare a strict account to give! 

4. Help me to watch and pray, 

and on thyself rely, 

assured, if I my trust betray, 

I shall forever die. 

Thought for Today:
"Our reaction to suffering and hostility can be a powerful testimony to the power of Christ at work in us"[Daniel Powers]
Please pray:

The many people in Reunion will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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