Sermon On the Net

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

 

Luke 6: The Pharisees accused Jesus and the disciples of breaking the Sabbath because they picked and ate grain in the field. In verse 5 Jesus told them: “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” On another occasion they accused Him of dishonoring the Sabbath because He healed a man with a withered hand on that day.

 

Following a night of prayer Jesus chose the twelve apostles. He then went down with them and began to preach and heal those who had come to Him. Jesus gave a sermon to the apostles telling them that the poor and the hungry would receive the kingdom of God and that they would be blessed even though men will hate them for their convictions. They are to leap for joy because of blessings they will receive. Conversely, those who laugh now, the rich, the ones of whom men speak well, these will be the ones who will mourn and weep. Verse 20: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

 

“Love your enemies,” treat them well, even lend to them if they have need. It is easy to love someone who loves you; there is nothing special in that. Be humble and loving to all. And don’t do things with the expectation of getting back; this is not giving in a loving way; be merciful to those in need. Verse 31 says to, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

 

Jesus told them not to judge others, especially a brother or sister. We should be concerned with ourselves. A tree is known by its fruit; a good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree produces bad fruit. What comes out of one’s mouth is coming from the heart; we are exposed with our mouth.

 

Jesus used a parable of a builder who builds on a solid foundation and one building on sand to portray the one who does the will of the Father. The truth will always be victorious and the lie will always be exposed; we must build on the truth of God.

 

In this chapter I believe the most important lesson is the one of love. Love can change the world. Can you imagine living in a world of love with everybody loving each other without the expectation of return? We all know this is impossible in this world, but in Heaven we can expect to live in a world of love because we will be with God and He is Love. The clearest evidence we have of His love is His willingness to have sacrificed Jesus on the cross for us. He did it without expectation of return; as a matter of fact He did it to provide a way for us to be able to be part of His family. He has given everyone the opportunity to be free from the clutches of Satan and to be welcomed in His arms of love. Where are you? Are you in His arms? If not, all it takes is an act of admitting your sinful nature and receiving Jesus as your Savior, once and for all time. We will have not only a great future but an opportunity to live out the rest of our time here with His blessings. I always think of that tremendous verse, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”