As you step out today, here’s a reminder of God’s word to you from Matthew 5:43-48 [MSG].
43-47 “You’refamiliar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies.
Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does.
He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
Ever read a Bible passage that makes you exclaim, Wow! Or makes you utter non-lexical sounds like hmm, uh-huh etc. Today’s Bible reading is definitely one of such that makes me go “Wow! Enough said! Lord Jesus, I hear you!”…that is such a good word right there for us believers!
Jesus in Today’s Bible verses gives a summary of what it means to be a Kingdom ambassador/representative and what it means to live out the KINGDOM LIFESTYLE which is grounded in LOVE, FORGIVENESS AND COMPASSION!
In Today’s Bible passage, Jesus challenges us as his followers to live out our God created identity. And Christ identity in us influences not to act, behave or respond to situations based on our emotions or how we feel but rather to take actions as led by the Holyspirit. Being led by the Holyspirit compels us to base our actions in line with kingdom values.
Jesus admonishes us in this scripture that it’s time to leave business as usual and the acceptable way the world likes to do things and pursue the Kingdom lifestyle and its unpopular way of doing things which is invariably will bring honor to God.
Jesus unreservedly tells his disciples and followers, it was time to take a step back and reevaluate what we consider to be the right way of doing thing supported by the law.
Jesus admonishes to take a stand for the unpopular lifestyle that will make people question your decisions and your choices.
But the truth is, this higher life ( found only in Christ) you have decided to pursue will pretty much come with a lot of mockeries and snide remarks from people but it is set to bring you to a place of honor and blessing if you stay true without giving up.
Therefore as you go about your daily business and activities today, take time to meditate on Jesus words to you and make up your mind to pursue this kingdom lifestyle:
That promotes good over evil.
That chooses to care even when not convenient.
That chooses to turn the right cheek and look away when insulted.
That chooses to love even when it’s so hard to love.
That chooses to pray for those that speak evil of you and persecute you.
That chooses to forgive even when that’s the last thing you want to do to the person that hurt you so deeply.
Why are you compelled to do this you ask yourself? Here’s what Jesus says to you – So that you can show the world a different kind of lifestyle that may seem weird and unusual but is possible and it’s the KINGDOM LIFESTYLE!
Jesus asks a very crucial question when he said: “what good is it when you choose to love only those who love you?” Because even an unsaved and unrighteous person will do exactly that – Love only those that love them.
Jesus therefore, admonishes you and me to a cue from our Heavenly Father who without any restriction or partiality chooses to give sunlight and rain to both the good, the evil, just and the unjust person.
Remember, Christ our loving Lord and Savior will not tell us to do something that He himself has not done.
In Luke 23:34, Jesus demonstrates to us the height of love and mercy for mankind when He uttered the word “ Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” to the soldiers who had severely tortured and beaten him.
And throughout the three years of Jesus ministry, we see Him demonstrate the kingdom lifestyle by forgiving and loving those that mistreated him and spoke ill of him.
As believers, we must be deliberate to love those we deem unlovable. This is not always easy I know but we can depend on the Holyspirit to strengthen us with God’s grace.
So let us seek to be different by intentionally living out the Kingdom lifestyle in everything we do ( while on the bus, train, at the bus-stop, in the Park, at work, at home, at church, school etc) and wherever we find ourselves and we can be sure that the Father is pleased because when we do this we represent his Character.
Remember, the Kingdom lifestyle is about displaying God’s love and loving the unlovely!
Do have a blessed and fruitful day!
God bless you.
