THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
It seems that younger folk are growing up with a more calloused view of humanity.
The other day, I overheard a neighbor yelling at her son:
"I don't care if that puppy IS cute! You take him right back where you got him,
and bring your little sister home NOW!"
_______________________________________________________________________
________SCRIPTURE_____________________________________________________
Matthew 5
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
________________________________________________________________________
_______THOUGHT_________________________________________________________
"It hath been said....."
To "love thy neighbour as thyself" came directly from the law
(See Leviticus 19:18).
However to "hate thine enemy" was NOT part of Scripture.
"But I say unto you..."
Jesus' correction of the cynical interpretation by some was to "love your enemies!"
Exhibiting "sonship" to the Father is to do as Christ did.
He "blessed" those who cursed Him, did "good" to them that hated Him, "prayed" for those who despitefully used Him, and even "loved" those (we) who crucified Him!!
Expressing love for those who love us is easy.
Expressing love for those who are hurting us takes deep down resolve that can only come from the power of God's Holy Spirit indwelling us.
Don't let callousness make your heart hard!
Exhibit always the working of God's Holy Spirit IN you.
LOVE your enemy!
Love ya,
Bruce