MONDAY JANUARY 24, 2010

Read Matthew 5:38-48

The Christian and Non Christian

The Biblical position between a non Christian and a Christian is much more opaque. There is no simple solution or guideline to follow. Rather several principles or truths need to be studied and considered and then the big picture needs to be applied.

In Matthew 5:38-48 we are told to love our enemies.

• "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons 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 brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Our motivation according to this passage is the Lord’s perfection (vs 48). God is perfect and His perfect love causes the sun to rise on the righteous and the unrighteous (vs 45). However, these unrighteous people are still hell bound! The Lord has not lavished them with His saving and forgiving love. While Christ has died on the cross for the sins of the whole world, these unrighteous have not yet been forgiven. If they fail to repent (Acts 2:38) they too will be sent to hell. Even though God ‘loves’ these unrighteous people, He is not imperfect or unrighteous in Himself when He sends them to hell. Love and judgement are not mutually exclusive.

Even at a cursory reading of Scripture it is clear that the Lord has different levels or degrees of love towards the repentant and the unrepentant. The former are lavished with deep affection and are adopted as Sons of the living God while the latter receive rain and crops and provisions but still are sent to eternal damnation!

If our love for our enemies is to mirror the Lord’s perfection and righteousness, then our love must mirror His. We are to provide for their needs. We are to give them our cloak, go an extra mile with them and so on but we are never to be yoked with them (2 Corinthians 6:14).

How do we overcome this apparent contradiction?

The Lord longs for all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9). His love for the lost is meant to bring them to repentance (Romans 2:4, Acts 14:15-18). But if they fail to repent they will be condemned. In all of this the Lord our God is righteous and just.

How can you and I mirror that kind of love?

Romans 12:19 is instructive.

• Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

As we deal with our enemies, we are not to harbour desires or thoughts of

revenge. Rather, we are to leave judgement to God. This can be a difficult and ongoing process where you constantly repent of vengeful thoughts. But

remember, no matter what happens God will still deal with the other person’s sins. You do not have to exact revenge! As you deal with your enemy, you provide for their needs. In heaping burning coals on their head, you are confirming their judgement. Burning coals are a symbol of judgement! (2 Samuel 22:9-15, Psalm 18:7-14, Psalm 119:1-4, Psalm 140:10,   Ezekiel 10:1-19).

Prayer:-

• Spend time praising God for his love and forgiveness towards you       personally.


• Ask God to bless the children’s ministry and youth ministry this year. Pray for Jane and Brad as they head up children’s work and youth work respectively. Pray that God would grant them wisdom in planning, ability to execute plans and godliness in all things.