Thread: Matthew 5:22, 44, & 46

A scripture that I found 2 days ago that really spoke me and I am applying it to my life now. "But I say unto you, 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, DO GOOD TO THEM THAT HATE YOU, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?'" Matthew 5:44,46

It's very easy to love people who love you, but much harder to love someone who hates you...especially if it's for no reason! In Matthew 5:22, it talks about that if anyone is angry with you for no reason, they are in danger of the judgment. We all know that we are going to be judged one day. But you can see that it specifically talks about THIS... See more. We can't look at ourselves to love our enemies. This is why we need to look at God's love. Since Jesus lives inside of you already, you already have HIS love. And he loves you enemies as much as he loves you. It's easier typing this then actually doing it, but I hope this speaks to some people at least :P

Amen .... good word Spinning . God's love goes beyond the borders and we in the natural cannot love the unlovely but with God all things are possible . Through the love of Jesus we can love , because He first. loved us .

Romans 8:39
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers

Wow, Dusty, that last verse you quoted kinda hits ya between the eyes!!!

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Umm... LAY DOWN OUR LIVES!!! Goodness, so many of us are flat out even acting in care towards our brothers. Lay down our lives?? I don't think so!!!!

I've written elsewhere how we two chronically ill people can't get to a church, and the sicker we got the more we lost our Christian friends. Why? Simply because they didn't know how to relate to people who are sick all the time.

The norm in life is to get sick, then recover. But we never DID, instead slowly continuing to get worse - and that was just too much for them. So, without them even knowing why, as we believe, they would just, well, go away. And they DID - until we were finally quite alone, with not a single soul to help us when we needed help (which was often). Hence my, "I don't think so!!!!" above. (Oh, but all of them we fully FORGAVE long ago!!)

And while I'm on this, also sick and elderly brothers and sisters, stuck at home, maybe alone, out of sight and out of mind, are usually NOT CARED FOR by church people. This is a tragedy of fairly mammoth proportions and God is NO WAY pleased!!

But I find it amazing that spinning started this thread, then you put up that verse, which I just happened to read, when only a couple of days ago I put in a very relevant graphic (clickable) at the end of my Sig. Hmm... maybe the Lord could actually be involved in this - d'ya think??

- BM

Spot on, Casey, couldn't agree more!

- BM

Originally Posted by xspinningisfun

"But I say unto you, 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, DO GOOD TO THEM THAT HATE YOU, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?'" Matthew 5:44,46

It's very easy to love people who love you, ...

Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

.

Originally Posted by Bondman

I've written elsewhere how we two chronically ill people can't get to a church, and the sicker we got the more we lost our Christian friends. Why? Simply because they didn't know how to relate to people who are sick all the time.

Bondman, sometimes people don't know what to say anymore because they have said all they know to say to encourage them and have run out of what to do to help them. They feel they don't have anymore to offer them.





The norm in life is to get sick, then recover. But we never DID, instead slowly continuing to get worse - and that was just too much for them.

I know some people have said as they get elderly that they see too many of their friends getting sick and dying and they just can't handle it. Its frightening to them




So, without them even knowing why, as we believe, they would just, well, go away.

I'm sorry you felt abandon. I'm sure all were not just rejecting you as a freind, because you love the Lord, love to talk about Him, and you're even a funny one! [ haha ]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Bondman , I am sorry to hear of all your experiences with sickness and as a retired nurse can understand all those feelings of rejection but know that you have not been rejected by Jesus and His love and all those people who you thought were your friends , well sorry to say they were not your true blue friends and if they really cared they would still be there visiting , reading the word and praying with you both .

Sometimes there are people who were not really a friend but I don't think that is always the case. [see above]

We have wonderful programs in our church ( I am not bragging or boasting here ) where we visit the sick and shuts ins ... I am on that team and you know what? I have gone to bless some one else at home and come away being more blessed as these wonderful saints of the Lord hold fast to Him , Always upbeat and thanking Him .

Too bad alot of church don't have these programs, altho some do. Even the communities who do this also.

Certain people are called to ministering to the elderly just as others are called to the youth. I believe that's part of the ministry of helps. That must be one of your gifts and if does take a gifting for this.. Some people don't know how to minister to them any more than some don't know how to sing or preach.

Too bad alot of church don't have these programs, altho some do. Even the communities who do this also.

Certain people are called to ministering to the elderly just as others are called to the youth. I believe that's part of the ministry of helps. That must be one of your gifts and if does take a gifting for this.. Some people don't know how to minister to them any more than some don't know how to sing or preach.

Thanks GodSpeaks .... cause yes I have always been interested in the elderly and have worked in long term care facilities as well as a stroke floor . I enjoy all their stories of the past and love ministering to them . That is my niche and my ministry so to speak .

Although now I am reaching that age I can"t say elderly any more cause I am one of them but I can still go and minister and sing and read the word to those who are not able . God is so good and has blessed me with good health .We go in twos and have certain houses per week to visit and we also give them communion . It is such a blessing .