Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Linking up with Barbie from The Weekend Brew
Blessings,
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It's a difficult teaching, isn't it?? Thanks for sharing these verses. Finding you through the Weekend Brew.
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie:
DeleteIt is is a hard teaching especially with the recent Boston Marathon and the bombing that went on there. I am trying to put it into perspective.
Thank you for visiting.
Blessings,
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A hard truth, indeed. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbie,
DeleteYea it's a tough one. :s
Blessings,
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Oh so hard to turn the other cheek isn't?? Thankfully God helps us, and gives us the strength to turn!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
DeleteIt sure is hard to turn the other cheek, but I am learning that if I pray asking Father to help and wait on Him He always provides!! It is the waiting on Him that sometimes I fail miserably. :s
Blessings,
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Hi COG. Definitely a challenging one, turning the other cheek. I don't always get it, to be honest.
ReplyDeleteHi Vilisi,
DeleteNice to see you. :)
I'm sure it is a stumbling block for lots of us, you are not alone hon.
Blessings,
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Great verse for a week like this one. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi edlessons4life,
DeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment. :)
Blessings,
<><
Romans 12:19 says," Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord." I'm not saying that this is easy. I'm saying that without the Lord, i don't know where I could get the strength to love my enemies. But knowing the fate of the unrepentant sinner, we should have great compassion on their eternal destiny and pray for them to come to a "saving" knowledge of Jesus Christ, because Judgment Day is a fate worse than death in eternal damnation. That vision helps me understand the love of an enemy. I love Romans 12:21, where it says: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." God help me fulfill this verse in my life daily. Great reminder sister. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian,
DeleteThanks for sharing these verses. Without the intervention of the Holy Spirit it is very difficult to love those who persecute us. Evil on evil only begets more evil, but love on evil produces forgiveness and more love.
Leading others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ should be a priority in our lives, even in the midst of disaster and sorrow
Thanks for sharing and bringing about a very important perspective here.
Blessings brother,
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I love how Jesus was reframing their minds here from what they knew in the past to truth. You have heard it said, but I tell you... Love is so powerful!
ReplyDeleteHi Shana,
DeleteI totally agree that love is so powerful! Our Father is Love and if He is Love then we should be loving even our worst enemies.
Blessings,
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Hi child of God,
ReplyDeletequite often what God tells us to do is the opposite of what the carnal mind tries to tell us isn't it. Human nature will try to justify revenge, but God's ways are not our ways are they? God bless you
Hi Brenda,
DeleteI am so glad that God's ways are not our ways. Can you imagine what the world would be like with the evil one in control? *shudder* I don't even want to think about it. I guess because we just cannot understand Father's ways that is why He tells us to trust in Him even when things look the worst that they can. He knows what He is doing and His way will always turn out for the best.
Blessings hon,
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we need this attitude, instead of all the anger...
ReplyDeleteHi Annmarie,
DeleteYes, we sure do! Love covers a multiple of sins.
Blessings,
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Hi Child of God,
ReplyDeleteThem verses sure can be challenging, can't they? The last thing I want to do is turn the other cheek.
Blessings,
Ken
Hi Ken,
DeleteIt sure can be a struggle especially when it is someone close to you or the someone has hit a very tender spot. Thankfully Father tells us that He will provide the strength we need to do the right thing if we seek Him and ask Him for it.
Blessings brother,
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