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What in the world is God doing?




The Hardest Command Jesus Ever Gave (Us)




The Hardest Command Jesus Ever Gave

The Hardest Command Jesus Ever Gave

As I studied this week and began preparing this very difficult message, the title became obvious.  But it occurred to me Jesus gave a lot of hard commands.  The more I study His life and teachings, the harder it gets—not to understand them, but figure out how to obey them!

Which one is the hardest command He ever gave to His disciples?  If I took a poll of Christians familiar with His teachings throughout the gospels and epistles, several good answers would surface.

  • Take up your cross daily
  • Die to self
  • Love your neighbor as yourself

But the command that tops the list (IMHO) is found in Matthew 5.  Jesus was teaching the greatest discourse in history known as the Sermon on the Mount.  He completed the first section known as the Beatitudes.  Then He proceeded to explain the Law in a way that changed how we are to understand them forever.  He reframed teaching and understanding on hard subjects like:

  • Murder
  • Adultery
  • Divorce
  • Vows
  • Retribution

Jesus’ intention was to change how born-again followers live and interact with others.  This was very difficult teaching then and now.  Application seems impossible.  (We will come back to that.)  Jesus saved the hardest command for last, which brings us to our text and message for today.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’  “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5: 43-48

“Love your neighbor as yourself” is straight out of the Levitical law (Leviticus 19:18).  “Love your neighbor” is quoted nine times throughout the Bible.  It is interesting to note “hate your enemies” is not found in the Law or the Bible.  When we study various commentaries on this passage, we learn the Pharisees created that part.  Perhaps it seemed intuitive or they cobbled together some of the verses in David’s Psalms referred to as imprecatory psalms.  These were the psalms in which David asked God to destroy or defeat his enemies.  Whatever the source, Jesus issued (what I believe is) the hardest command of all to stomach—much less understand and obey.

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Out of my own struggles with this command came three questions.

  • Who is my enemy?”
  • Why do I have to love them?
  • How do I love them?

The balance of our time will be spent answering these questions.

1 ) Who is my enemy?  Most of us have little trouble identifying people we consider enemies.  We would say people who hate us and seek to do us harm.  This is not to be confused with an adversary or opponent.  [I want to remove Satan and demons from thought because they are our natural, spiritual enemies.  Jesus was speaking to enemies being people.]

Christians have one (visible) enemy:  people who hate or oppose Jesus and those who identify with Him and (attempt to) live according to His commands and example.

Three examples from Scripture that describe/define enemies of God and Jesus. 

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”  John 15: 19

“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,  whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.”  Philippians 3: 18-19

“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity (hatred) with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4: 4

Thus, Christians should expect to be hated by our enemies—the world (evil) because they first hated Jesus.  How do we respond?  Hate them back?  Bringing us to the second question.

2)  Why should I love my enemies?  The first, and most obvious, answer is Jesus commanded us to.  (Matthew 5: 43)  There is another compelling reason many Christians forget to consider when we hate on left wing radicals, violent demonstrators, murderous criminals, atrocious people engaged in sex trafficking, abortionists and those who support them…the list goes on.

“For if while we were enemies (of God) we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”  Romans 5: 10

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5: 8

Before you begin to hate on your enemies, remember this.

We were enemies of Christ before God’s love, mercy, and grace provided for our salvation.

God hates sin—theirs and ours.  The most life-changing words the Holy Spirit ever spoke into my life in this difficult area were these:

Walter, hate your own sin first and worst!

John wrote, “We love because He first loved us.”  (1 John 4: 19)  Jesus commanded us to love and pray for our enemies.  That leads to the last question—How?

3) How do I love my enemies?  The short answer is we cannot.  The biblical answer is we can, BUT not in and of ourselves.  To answer this most important question, we must step back a bit and consider what Jesus said and how He prepared His disciples for His death and departure from this world.  The disciples were rightfully distraught at the thought of Jesus leaving them to a world that would hate and possibly kill them.  AND where would power come from to do “greater things” than He did that He also promised?  Jesus answered…

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;  that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you…But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14: 16-18; 26  (See also John 16: 7-11; 13-15)

The third person of the Holy Trinity Who is Himself fully God – the Holy Spirit- is the answer to this question.  He comes into the lives of true born-again Christians.  When Jesus said, “I will come to you”, He was speaking of coming in the Third Person of the Godhead.

We need to also remember the Apostle Paul spoke much on the ministry of the Spirit and gave us a list of fruit He can produce in our lives if we continue to seek God and submit to Him. So by the power of the Holy Spirit and putting to use the first fruit, we land on loving others— including our enemies.   Following is a great example of how we should love our enemies.

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.  “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-20

One final word on loving our enemies.  It is the word love.  For those who wonder which of the four Greek words for love Jesus and Paul used, the answer may shock you.  It is agapao.  Most think of this only as the unconditional love of God toward us.  That is only one of the meanings.  Most words in all languages have multiple meanings. In these verses and contexts, love means,

Choosing to show them favor and good will—not trying to please them.

What “love your enemies” does not mean.

  • This does not mean we condone, in any way, their sin or sinful lifestyles or actions that are in direct conflict with or opposition to the clear teaching in God’s Word.
  • It does not mean we allow them to harm us or our families or property. Christians have a right to protection. “Turn the other cheek” is incredibly misunderstood.

We are to love our enemies as God does.  He knows they are His enemies first even before becoming ours.  We must always value them as people for they are, like all people, also “created in the image of God”.

We treat them with respect and dignity.  You do not know whether you are the one light in their dark world God sent to show them the way to the Cross and salvation in Christ.  People are drawn to love and light—not hate and darkness.  They already live in darkness.  Be the light!  Some want out, but do not know the way. Show them the way out!

Finally, the greatest way to express the love of God is like Jesus did.  Tell them God sent Him to save us from our sins.  That may get you killed or beaten, but so what?  Many NT Christians and the apostles suffered greatly for their love for their enemies.  We are not exempt.

Our flesh wants to meet out vengeance and wrath on our enemies.  God said He would ultimately take care of that.  Jesus said those who remain His enemies wind up in Hell.

Do you really hate anyone enough to pray that God would send them to an eternity in Hell?  That kind of hate demands, as John did, that you search your heart to see if you truly experienced the salvation of Christ.  “We love because He first love us.”

For Christ’s sake,




Unfinished Business  – Understanding the Fear of the Lord (Part 2)

Last week we dove into this tenet of the Christian faith, too little understood even by Christians.  We examined the word fear from the Old and New Testaments and when and how they were first used.  Let us review briefly for those who were not with us.

Old Testament Uses and Lessons

  • Adam and Eve: Genesis 3: 12  (Adam from fear of the Lord to afraid of God)
  • Abraham (with Sarah): Genesis 20: 11 (Used it as an excuse for deceiving.)
  • Abraham with Isaac: Genesis 22: 12 (Unconditional surrender and obedience to God.)

In these verses, fear of the Lord ranged from Adam’s fear because he disobeyed God and knew the punishment to Abraham’s awe and respect for His God Whom he held in such high esteem—he was willing to sacrifice the son (heir) he waited on for 25 years.

 

New Testament Uses and Lessons

Many uses and similar applications—by Jesus, Stephen, Apostles Paul and Peter, and Jude.

  • (Mary) “His mercy is upon generation after generation, toward those who fear Him.”  Luke 1:50 (see Psalm 103: 17)

It should also be noted Joseph, her betrothed, did also.

  • Jesus used the lack of this essential tenet as a negative trait of the “unrighteous” judge. (Luke 18: 2,4)
  • Successful growth of the early church “going on in the fear of the Lord..” Acts 9: 31
  • Paul’s motivation: knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men…” 2 Corinthians 5: 11a

We concluded:

the fear of the Lord was a known aspect of the relationship between God and man.

————————————

This morning we are going to take care of some unfinished business to help us better understand the fear of the Lord in terms of application and benefits that fall to those who choose to live within it—perhaps better said—choose to let Him live within us. As I mentioned last week, there are dozens of verses in the Bible that speak of the fear of the Lord (or fearing God).  Today I chose a handful to reinforce its meaning and encourage our hearts with the good that comes from a life so lived.

  • So the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today.” Deuteronomy 6:24  (Note what happened to the nation when they stopped!)
  • “Who is the man who fears the Lord?He will instruct him in the way he should choose.” Psalm 25:12 
  • “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, To deliver their soul from death…Psalm 33:18-19 
  • “You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.” Psalm 60:4
  • “How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways (obedience)… You will be happy and it will be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants around your table.” Psalm 128:1-4
  • “The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness.”  Psalm 147:11
  • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge (learning) …” Proverbs 1: 7a
  • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (right application of knowledge)” Proverbs 9: 10
  • “The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied…” Proverbs 19:23
  • “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it.”  Proverbs 15:16
  • In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have refuge. Proverbs 14:26-27
  •  “Then those who feared the LORDspoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name.  “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”  Malachi 3:16-17
  • And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:18

We conclude that the “fear of the Lord”…

  • Shapes the way we think 
  • Shapes the way we live 
  • Shapes the way we love.

 Here is my testimony regarding the Fear of the Lord from the moment I truly understood the differences between the fear of the Lord and afraid of the Lord. 

  • The Fear of the Lord brought me to the Cross of Christ where I received my Savior. 
  • The Fear of the Lord draws me into His Word that I may know more intimately the Father, Son, and Holy Spirt Who are together the Living God. 
  • The Fear of the Lord keeps me faithful to my wife and children, loving and leading, because I am accountable to Him for their spiritual health and well-being. 
  • The Fear of the Lord keeps me obedient to His call on my life that, should He return before He calls me Home, He will find me following where the Spirit leads. 

I want to leave you with my definition and its application for those who fear the Lord and those who do not.  It is expressed as two sides of the same coin.

Those who know the Lord fear Him because He is Who He says He is—holy, righteous, loving, longsuffering, full of grace and mercy, demanding justice along with His other attributes—written in His inerrant Word.  We bow down and worship Him. We lift our arms and hearts and praise Him. With our voices, we bless His holy name.  Finally, we enjoy the grace of many benefits—among them wisdom, knowledge, favor, life, shelter, security, well-being, instruction, direction, and even sleep!  Greatest of all, at the expense of Jesus’ life,  we will enjoy eternal life in Heaven in a place He prepares just for us.

But sadly,

Those who reject the Lord will, after it is too late, fall down before Him in fear, even terror. For the holiness of God demands perfection no man can bring. His righteousness requires complete obedience none have attained. His offer of reconciliation, through the blood of Christ alone, spurned, metes out His justice demanding payment even rich men cannot afford.  So they will reap what they have sown—the wrath of God poured out for all eternity in Hell as Jesus warned many times.  So true are the words of the writer to the Hebrews,

It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  Hebrews 10: 31

 My dear brothers and sisters, I hope these two weeks invested in the fear of the Lord have been useful and drawn you closer in your relationship with Him.  To show you the benefits of a life so lived and warn, once more, those who do not was the intention of the Holy Spirit.  As I often say, and you will do well to remember,

It is God’s intention to get our attention…no matter what it takes!

For Christ’s sake,