"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16)
LOVE:
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5)
“But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matt. 5:39)
The picture we have of Jesus in human flesh walking on earth is of a loving Jewish Rabbi, teaching, healing and reaching out to the lost. He is the perfect picture of love – always turning the other cheek. Even when unfairly beaten and abused, although He was innocent, He didn’t say a word to defend Himself. Not one.
But wait! When Jesus saw what was going on in His Father’s house, what did He do?
In John 2:15 we see that Jesus made a WHIP out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables…and who does He drive out?? He DRIVES out ALL…Do you think He stood there and said “gentlemen, it is now time to leave” NO!! He used His whip….they left so fast they left their money behind.
Why is it that the world think Christians are all weak pathetic push-overs?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father 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.” (Matt. 5:43-45)
Recently I have been targeted by an unbeliever on facebook. Every time I posted a Scripture or comment, this Gentleman was there to ridicule the Word of God and mock it in the most horrific way imaginable. I told a number of believers that if my salvation depends on my love for him, I am going straight to hell! I know we are saved by the grace of God, but this person was here to steal my joy every step of the way. I really struggled and prayed for guidance and the right Scripture at the right time.
A friend of mine started to chat with me on facebook chat. I told him that if God could forgive me and loved me, then I should love this man! My friend told me to tell him, publicly, that I loved him. I told him that I would be a hypocrite if I did that. “Trust me,” he said, “I’ll be watching. No pressure…:)”
I sat there, and then finally forced myself to do it…So publicly, on The Bible page, I declared: “Hey, Sir, Jesus loves you and if you are good enough for Him, I MUST do the same. You can continue humiliating me, that's fine, I will be praying for you, starting today. He loves you enough to die for you...so who am I to do otherwise? :)”
Although his reaction was EXACTLY what I expected, the moment I declared those words, the love followed! I really loved him! I said to my friend, ”How is it possible?” He told me that, when we make a decision to love the unlovable, we grow in ourselves, and although it may hurt, it makes us stronger in the spirit. We crucify the flesh. Then we have more room to love others! In much the same way a weight lifter pushes himself past the pain barrier, and causes actual physical damage to his muscles….It is here that true growth takes place. When we stretch ourselves beyond what we would normally do.
It was one of the most amazing things I have done in my walk as a believer!
If Jesus said love your enemies, He means just that, go and love your enemies and He will surely make it possible for you. Remember, nothing is impossible with God!
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
The world sees Jesus as a pacifist coward for submitting to the crucifixion. But we know that He laid down His life – no one took it from Him.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matt 26:52 – 54)
He could have stayed safe at home, with 12 legions of angels guarding him……but did He??
“When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead he trusted himself to Him who judges justly.” 1 Pet. 2:23
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Pet. 2:21
ISN’T THIS KIND OF LOVE FORCING YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE?
You may have to love the unlovable in ways you do not want to, but you will grow through it.
Yes, you can stay safe at home behind your 4 walls…..but to what advantage???
THE WARRIOR:
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” (Matt. 10:34)
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
“You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.” (Psalm 91:13)
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Prov. 28:1)
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” (Eph. 3:12 )
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:3-5)
The early Christians were fearless. They were being thrown into prison, tortured, stoned, and run out of their homes, yet they kept telling people about Christ.
Just think about it: when we are getting insulted and persecuted for our faith in Jesus, and WE DON'T FALTER, can we give a better testimony to the persecutors than that? Loving them in the midst of them hurting or humiliating us?
THE DAYS OF PLAYING CHURCH AND RELIGION ARE OVER!
It is time to get off our butts and do what we have been called to do.
What have we been called to do??
GO!! and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This means...GO!! Get up. Whatever need is presented to you, be it salvation, food, blankets, clothing…money....meet that need, as best as you know how. Dont pick and choose what you want to do.....just do it!
“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” Revelation 17:6
The world as we know it has reached a point in time when it is crying out for world peace. The world is desperate for religious TOLERANCE. There will come a time, (and it has already started), when all the world religions will be united, with the goal in mind to create world peace.
World peace – APPARENT world peace – will come. But you know who will be spoiling their fun? The Christians – the born-again Spirit-filled ones, that is. Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
The world will accuse us of never being satisfied. “Can’t you see that we have world peace at last? What is it with you Christians?” We will have to speak up and refuse to submit to their new age deity called “god”. The so-called christians who will submit to a universal god pleasing everyone are those preaching a bloodless gospel. The gospel of Jesus is so offensive to the world, because we proclaim that you can only be saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Hebrews 9:22 says that without shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.
No matter what your view may be on end time prophecy – everyone agrees: it’s getting harder and harder to be a follower of Christ.
“Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:4)
Are we even remotely ready to lose our lives for the gospel of Christ?
Are you comfortable in your Christian life, rather not stirring what you don’t want to face, being a pacifist, keeping the gospel to yourself and sharing only with those who are reachable in your own strength? Or are you being a WARRIOR FOR CHRIST? Walking in the Spirit, using the Sword of the Spirit? “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)
My challenge to you is this…Go!! and find a sinner who has been kicked around by life…..If you look hard you can find them, robbed of hope, just look into their eyes and see the emptiness. And say “Jesus loves you!!” Pray for them.
Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. (Zech. 4:6)
Father God, we come to You in the mighty name of Your Son Jesus, who paid the ransom for us with His blood on the cross. Father we realise that we are still on this earth with one purpose – to be bold witnesses of the things which You have revealed to us through Jesus. The revelation of You and Your love for us. You have saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to Your own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
Father God, for Your purpose, give us boldness and strength, not by might nor by power, but by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray!
AMEN.
Have a blessed Easter Weekend!
In Christ!
writed by. Retha Collett
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