Jesus gave us a long list of actions which are completely
opposite what the world tells us to do:
Love
your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those
who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the
cheek, offer the other also, and
from one who takes away your cloak do
not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone
who begs from you, and from one who takes
away your goods do not demand them
back.
We are unable to do that by ourselves, and the Bible is
filled with stories of God’s people failing when they fail to follow His
commands. An early church orator, Stephen, preached a sermon to the Jewish
leaders of his time which underscored the utter depravity of the Jewish people
(Acts 7:1-54). His reward was death. As Stephen was dying, he showed us the second greatest commandment in
action.
Now when
they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy
Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the
right hand of God. 56 And
he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the
right hand of God.” 57 But
they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at
him. 58 Then
they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their
garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning
Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he
cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do
not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)
Did you happen to notice who was present (verse 58)? Could
you have given the same statement as Stephen (v. 60) as you breathed your final
breaths? Why do you think that the
leaders were so angry? Could it be that they were feeling convicted and didn’t
want to hear the truth? We feel the same today. It’s nicer to listen to a “feel
good” sermon than to listen to an expository sermon where truths are given in
no uncertain terms. But Jesus expects us to hear every command in His Word –
and to obey. When we fall, He’s there to pick us up.
I think that this love
your neighbor command is one of the more difficult to obey. It’s one I work
on all the time. When I get it right, I stop to praise God and pray that I don’t
fall into the sin of pride because of my “good behavior”. When I get it wrong, I
know that God is there to forgive me, pick me up, and help me to carry on.
What is love? It’s an act of your will. It’s hard work. It’s
meeting the needs of those around us. It’s wrapped up in this simple verse:
These
things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:17 (KJV)
I’d love to hear how this study is helping you. Where have
you achieved success in the second greatest commandment? Where do you fall
short? Do you need special prayer, or someone to talk to? Leave a message or
email me privately. I look forward to hearing how God uses this study to
improve your daily walk.
I will see you Monday!
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