experiences may have been traumatic . Have someone ’ s words or behavior changed or shaped the course of your life ? Unkind words and actions can sometimes wound and paralyze us but if we are Christians , what do we do ? How do you respond and what does God require ?
WWJW ? SUS DO ?
WHAT WOULD JE-
As followers of Jesus Christ , we have an instructional manual that we can always go to for guidance and direction . Like most manuals , the Bible is filled with lots of useful information that , if we study and take heed , we will be well informed and equipped to pass any test . I ’ d like you to go with me as I open up this manual called , “ LOVE ”. There are many divinely inspired transcribers of this manual but only one author and creator , The Almighty God ! This guidebook is filled with great examples of “ how to ” apply these instructions to our everyday lives so that we can be like Christ and do it His way . When standing in the face of someone else ’ s unkind words or behavior , Jesus says , “ do not focus on what the other person says or does … check your own ATTITUDE !” Let ’ s take a look in this manual .
In the entire chapter of Matthew 5 , Jesus teaches us how to be Christ-like even when others are not . He gives us great examples of how to possess His character live a righteous life . Believers should always keep in mind that EVERYTHING we do should bring glory to the name of God ! Remember the robe and the cape ? This is how we make that exchange . In verse 16 of this chapter , we see that the greatest testament to the life of a believer is to let our light shine before men so that others can see our good works and glorify our loving God . Jesus said that the greatest commandment our Father gave to us ; the one thing God has said is “ the most important ”… is to LOVE ! ( 1 Corin . 13:13 ) I believe that we make our Abba Father smile when He sees us mastering the art of love ( freely giving love to another , even when they don ’ t deserve it ). Now catch this “ hook ”. We must be able to master ( own , manage , direct and guide ) love in order to freely give it to others .
Matthew 5 is a sort of training guide on understanding and possessing the character of God . In this manual , Jesus teaches a very valuable lesson to His disciples ( followers and believers ). In verse 1 of this chapter , Jesus ( our perfect example ) saw a multitude of people and He used this as a great opportunity to “ teach ”. Our Master begins each lesson in this manual with a reward and a promise . Each beginning with an incentive , “ Blessed ” are they ... which means “ happy ” or favored ( Psalm 1:1 ; Luke 1:42 ) then , He gives us a promise if we follow these instructions . This manual would become the blueprint on how to live a Christlike life when faced with any kind of persecution .
From this chapter , I want you to imagine verses 1-11 as “ Life Lessons ”. In each lesson , Jesus tells us to ; be humble , meek , thirst after what is right , extend mercy , keep our hearts pure and walk in peace . In the final two lessons of this manual , Jesus gives us a warning and clear directives as to how we should behave when persecuted .
IT ’ S NOT PERSONAL , IT ’ S JUST BUSINESS
In order to better understand why Jesus thought it important to interject this topic on “ persecution ”, I think we need to start with a vocabulary test . Jesus must have known that when we attempt to live a Christian life , there would be opposition and we would need to know how to pass this test . What or who is an enemy ? An enemy is defined as ; a person , who feels hatred for , fosters harmful designs against , an adversary or opponent . I was also surprised to find that the dictionary defines an enemy as ; The Enemy , the Devil or Satan . Our instruction manual shines an even better light on “ who ” the enemy is .
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood , but against principalities , against powers , against the rulers of the darkness of this world , against spiritual wickedness in high places . Ephesians 6:12
The word “ enemy ” in Hebrew is translated as ‘ oyebh which means “ one who hates ”. The Bible tells us that there is only one who fits this description and he “ hates ” anyone associated with God , and that ’ s satan . He is the enemy of God and His people . He has held the title of “ Enemy and Adversary ” since the beginning of time . From Genesis to