This weekend we continued our series entitled "Engage". Throughout this series we have been looking at the four core values of Summit Church: God, Truth, Love, Mission. We believe that values should be central to the heart and life of every follower of Jesus Christ. Last week we look at God's love for us. The aim last week was that for us to understand the depth of God's full engagement of love, we must understand the depth of our depravity. There was and continues to be no reason for God to love us. Apart from Christ the Bible describes us as sinners, ungodly, the enemies of God and objects of His wrath. But the amazing thing is the Bible also states that "God demonstrated His love towards us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." That is incredible and joyful news to those who have placed their faith in Christ. This weekend we looked at the fact that if God loved us, His enemies than we must strive to do the same. We looked at Luke chapter 6 where Jesus commands us, His followers, to love our enemies and do good to them.
It was a convicting and challenging passage for me. This morning in my quiet time I came across this passage in Romans chapter 12 and it convicted me even further. I love how The Message reads...
14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. 17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." 20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
May God give you the grace and strength to love your enemy today, Jesus said in Luke 6:35 that if we love our enemies the world will know we are children of the Most High. Don't minimize the fact that as we strive to love like Christ there is a redemptive power in that love. Let Christ love for you and in you be unleashed even on your enemies. Have a great week. God Bless!
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