Higher Standard for Relationships
Notes
Transcript
Handout
We all have enemies in this world. Does that surprise you? Even the sweetest person has a rival of some sort, if only because they are so sweet and another person doesn’t like it.
What is an enemy? Dictionary.com says - “a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.” The world’s solution to dealing with enemies is to strike back or retaliate. But one of the most challenging tasks for the Christian is to learn how to relate to each adversary in a godly manner. Whereas out friends love us and appreciate us, wanting only what is best for us, our enemies are bent on one thing: our destruction. What are we to do with people who oppose or torment us? God’s approach toward this topic might surprise you.
As Abraham Lincoln said, “The best way to destroy your enemy is make him your friend.”
No subject is more important that the subject of relationships. God as created us to be beings of relationship and has brought us together in the church as a body of believers. Therefore, He wants that family to get along as a family, loving each other and loving their neighbors as they should. The world may be bent on destroying their enemies but God has called the true disciple to have a higher standard for Relationships, We must never allow hate in enter our hearts. We should treat no other person as an enemy. Everyone should be loved as a neighbor.
The Law: Love Thy Neighbor
The Law: Love Thy Neighbor
Remember the Jesus has been sitting the disciples straight from lies the religious leaders has started. Stating that God’s law is not complete enough, so we will help Him out.
The law said”
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.
Israel made two fatal mistakes interpreting this law.
They said “neighbor” only the people of their own community, religion, and nation. They did not include anyone else. In fact, they shut out and cut off everyone else.
They inferred they were to hate thine enemy. God said, “ Love thy neighbor “ ; Therefore they reasoned and added to the law, “hate thine enemy.” Human reason actually leads a person to think that he should oppose and hate his enemy. But such is just deduced from depraved human reason. It is the natural reasoning of man and his sin. It is not God’s reasoning, and it is not what God wanted for this world. He wants: Love, joy, peace…
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Many fall into the same mistake as Israel. They interpret “neighbor” to be only their as a whole as their neighbors.
Meaning: To Love
Meaning: To Love
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
The real meaning of this law is to love. It involves four very practical acts.
Love Your Enemy
Love Your Enemy
Believers are to love all men, even enemies. They are to respect and honor all men.
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Every human being has something that is commendable, even if it is nothing but the fact that he is a fellow human being with a soul and God created and died for them as well.
loving your enemy is against our sin nature. The behavior of human nature is to react, strike back, hate, and wish hurt. At best we treat our enemies with a cold shoulder and keep our distance. The root of human reaction against enemies is pride and bitterness.
But As Christians we have been show grace, mercy, and compassion by Christ and He teaches us by is Spirit how to show this to others
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Bless Them Who Curse You
Bless Them Who Curse You
to bless means that a person has to speak. Christ is saying to speak softly to the curser.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger.
Use kind, friendly words. When face to face, be courteous; when behind his back, commend his strengths. Do not render railing for railing, that is, do not condemn or attack him in bitter language.
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Do Good to Those Who Hate You
Do Good to Those Who Hate You
Doing good goes beyond words. it does things for the person who hates. It reaches out to him through his family or friends. If no immediate way is found, then the Christian patiently for the day to serve or help to the one who hates.
The greatest proof of love is doing good to those who hate you.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Pray for Those Who Persecute You
Pray for Those Who Persecute You
Three things we need to pray about: For God to forgive the persecutor
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
For peace between yourself and the other person, and for the salvation or correction of the other person.
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
It might be easy to sit back and convince yourself of you could obey the commands from the Lord. But the real proof of obedience comes when a real life opportunity arises. What will you do?
If you are facing a real enemy today let me encourage you that to react the way Christ tells the true disciple to, does not mean you are weak or should be afraid of the hater. It takes great strength to stand in the face of an enemy and show them the Love of Christ.