THE LORD’S BRANCH CHRISTIAN CENTRE
THE BRANCH’S WAY-Isaiah 4:2 (A WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE)
Text: Matthew 5:43-48 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [44] 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; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? [47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others ? do not even the publicans so? [48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
In our text, it was revealed how easy it is to love our friends and hate those who are bad to us. In our society hate is so deep, hate towards the government, hate towards other tribes apart from ours, hate towards our co-workers, hate towards our neighbours. The poor hates the rich, the masses hate the politicians. But that is not what the Father requires of us, we are to love those who hate us, to bless those that curse us, to pray for those that persecute us. As this is the only way we can justifiably qualify to be called children of God. God The Father demonstrated His love for both the good and the evil by making His sun to shine on all, His rain to fall on both who are morally upright and those who oppose Him (verse 45).
2 Samuel 22: 31a says "As for God, his way is perfect". The book of Deuteronomy 32:4 says "He God) is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He". This is the position God wants you and I to be as stated in verse 48 of our text -"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect".
The Greek word for perfect is "Teleios" meaning to be completely conformable to God's laws. This will require us to be broken in spirit no wonder Jesus said “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise]. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender]. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:39-40, 42 AMP)
To be perfect requires burden for others meaning to bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (verse 44 of our text).
To be perfect means to be humble (an attitude towards oneself by giving room to others) and to be meek (the way we treat others). These are attributes of God's children
To be perfect is to hunger for the righteousnes of God by conducting ourselves in a way that gives glory to God. To walk with integrity (read Psalm 15).
To be perfect is to be merciful by refraining from judging and condemning others. To show mercy is have the ability to forgive those who offend us. To be merciful is to give to those who are in need without counting the cost.
To be perfect is to be pure in heart.
To be perfect is to be a doer of the word of God.
To be perfect is to make our lights to shine in the environment we find ourselves.
We are also to be free from lust ( Phillippians 4: 8).
Avoid paying others in their own coins, be charitable, be God-like in the society.
All these are possible by:
* Having a new birth in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 17, 1 John 2: 29, 3: 5- 30, 5: 1- 4, 18).
* Walking and living in the Spirit of God (Romans 5: 1- 13, Galathians 5: 16- 26).
* Using Christian weapons appropriately (2 Corinthians 10: 5- 7, Ephesians 6: 10- 18, Colosians 2: 6- 10, 2 Timothy 2: 21).
* Asking for the grace of God in every way.
* Read your Bible and live it.
Prayers:
1. O Lord my Father teach me your ways in Jesus name.
2. O Lord show forth Your glory in my life and family in the name of Jesus.
3. O Lord let people see Your beauty in me in the name of Jesus.
4. O Lord my Father make my weak hand strong in the name of Jesus.
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