THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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The missionary moved to a new town in a foreign country and tried to begin his work for the Lord. However, the children in this town reflected the prejudice of the people.
Each day they would see him coming and call out "CHRISTIAN!"
So the missionary prayed about it, and came up with a plan. The children called him Christian the next day, and he said, "From now on, anyone who calls me Christian will get a dime." And he paid them.
The next day he gave them a nickel. The third day he gave them a penny.
One boy asked, "Why only a penny today?"
The missionary replied, "It's all I can afford."
The boy asked, "Do you think we're going to call you 'Christian' for only a penny?"
The missionary said, "So don't."
And they didn't.
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Matt 5:43-45
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
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;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
(KJV)
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The "Sermon on the Mount" is God's plan for believers to live God's way.
Christ said we should go a step beyond being what the world expects. When people persecute Christians because of their belief, then we should exhibit greater love. We are to "do good to them that hate" us.
This is a difficult thing! The normal human reaction to spiteful persecution is to fight back! But God gives "more grace" to the humble! (see James 4:6)
Jesus also said that the sign to the world that we are really His children is to have "love one to another."
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35)
If we are to go a step beyond for those who persecute us from the world, how are we to act toward those that are members of "the household of faith?" (Galatians 6:10)
Today, let us exhibit Christ's love to all men, especially those of the "household of faith."
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
http://www.linktojesus.org/
He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.