Bible Study - Distinct (6) - Distinct in My Love - Matthew 5:43-48 - February 28, 2016

Bible Study – Distinct (6) – Distinct in My Love – February 28, 2016

This is lesson six (6) in our series entitled “Distinct: Living above the Norm.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 5:43-48.

Love everyone unconditionally.

This is the end of JESUS’ message which began with Matthew 5:20-22:

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder Begins in the Heart

21 "You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 

22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to ----

JESUS’ message to HIS followers then and now is that GOD looks at our hearts or the very core of our being. It is from the heart that springs how we, as Christians, respond to the issues of life that we encounter. Without the indwelling Holy Spirit leading, guiding, enlightening, empowering and controlling our lives, living as CHRIST taught is impossible. The key is that when we fail to measure up to HIS teaching, it should be a wake-up call for Christians to ask GOD to reveal it to us. When HE reveals these areas to us that is our cue to confess them and ask GOD to bring them under HIS control.

In the study of the “Sermon on the Mount” we have studied that JESUS’ message is how Christians are “Distinct” from others in the world:

-         By living a life that reflects “greater righteousness” Christians are not to look at the letter of the law but the Spirit of the Law.

-         Anger and murder

-         Lust and adultery

-         Adultery and divorce

-         Oaths

-         Retaliation

-         Going the extra mile

-         Love your enemies

-         Pray for those who persecute you

GOD equips HIS Children, those born into HIS Family through the miracle of rebirth through faith in CHRIST to ----

-         Be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect

Christians are to be distinct by being the salt and light as empowered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is all about the process of sanctification which is growing and maturing as the result of abiding and being grafted into the true vine, JESUS CHRIST.

Let’s read Matthew 5:43-45:

Love Your Enemies

43 "You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 

The quote “Love your enemies” has its roots in Leviticus 19:18:

18 Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.

The statement “and hate your enemy” is NOT in the Old Testament but it is an extrapolated statement coming from some assumptions e.g. when GOD directed certain battles or addressed certain sins, GOD commanded that all be killed. The Jewish religious leaders created an add-on or an extrapolation “and hate your enemy.” Also note that JESUS in HIS teaching quoted “and hate your enemy” but made “enemy” plural “enemies” as “love your enemies and pray for those.”

JESUS added Spiritual depth in HIS teaching “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Christians are to love their neighbor as well as their enemy. A caution, we can love our enemy without loving what he or she may be doing. Christians are not to cast away those who are not living according to GOD’S Word. Before we were Christians, as sinners, CHRIST loved us and died for us. We are to love the sinner but hate the sin and never give up hope for the lost person. 

Christians are to pray for their enemies and those who persecute them. This is easy to say but hard to put into practice but JESUS did as HE was being crucified. JESUS is our example.

JESUS stated that there would be benefits for those who have this perspective as we continue to read ---

45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

When Christians live distinctly, as the result of changed lives, brought about by the in dwelling Holy Spirit, they honor GOD. Christians are being the “salt” and the “light” JESUS desires for them. Christians live in a world with both evil and good. But GOD’S love compels HIM to love and care for those who do not love HIM.

I recall many years ago getting upset with GOD. In fact, I told HIM I was better to my children than HE was for HIS children. If someone harmed a hair on one of my children’s head and I had HIS power I would “ZAP” him or her and they would experience the consequences.

GOD is so great and loving. HE let me rant and rave and when I finished, HIS still small voice asked me a question. “Suppose I zapped anyone who harmed a Christian, why would a person come to ME? Would it be because of the protection I would give him or her or because he or she loved ME and desired to have a personal relationship with ME?” It was a humbling moment for me, as well as, a teachable moment. GOD is so wonderful and loves us so much. 

HE wants us to explore and be inquisitive. We must look to HIM for our answers.

JESUS continued HIS teaching with “quid pro quo” questions.

Let’s read Matthew 5:46-47:

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 

It is easy to love those who love you. When you do that, you are not being distinct for all people groups love one another in their own way. However, when you love your enemies and those who persecute you, you are being distinct, which can only be accomplished by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  JESUS continued.

47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don't even the Gentiles do the same? 

Again, there was no distinction between the people groups.

JESUS was teaching that Christians need to go outside their comfort zone and reach out to others as led by the Holy Spirit. Cliques tend to isolate those who are in need of fellowship and friendship. Christians can be cliquish but when they are, it restricts the spread of the Gospel of CHRIST and fails to meet the needs of others.

GOD causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Do we as Christians discriminate when GOD does not? What is GOD’S desire for HIS children?

Let’s read Matthew 5:48:

48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Perfection! It is only through having an intimate, personal, loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST can Christians measure up to GOD’S standard.

Christians are to be distinct as GOD is distinct. GOD loves the unlovely, the down and out, the despised and rejected and the list goes on.

Aren’t we glad that GOD allows the sun to rise on the evil and good and the rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous! It is GOD’S grace through the covenant of the shed blood of JESUS and our faith in HIM that imputes righteousness to every Christian. All Christians are sinners saved by GOD’S grace.  Perfection is GOD’S gift through faith in JESUS. Enjoy the sunshine of HIS presence in your life and be nourished by the falling rain. Blessings!!!