Just Love!

I John 4:16,18-19

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because he first loved us.

Today’s Reading:  Matthew 5:17-48

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (vs. 17-18).  I have heard a lot of discussion lately questioning whether the Old Testament is still valid for us today, which I always thought was a ridiculous question, but I am certain that this scripture answers it very clearly and I see no reason to elaborate on this one!

When I think about what Jesus has to say about murder, I think about the fact that he always forgives each of us of everything that we ask him and continues to love us unconditionally, why would he not want us to do the same for others.  How can I bow down at the altar and begin to ask Jesus for anything when I have hate or resentment in my heart?  Isn’t that being hypocritical? What if Jesus only chose the ones that he wanted to forgive, that he wanted to love?  What if his forgiveness was a selection process?  Thank God it is not like that at all; instead anyone can come to him and receive complete forgiveness and unconditional love.  I also think that Jesus simply knows that forgiving others is for our own good.  Holding anger and hate in our heart will only gradually destroy our spirit, but forgiveness and truth will only bring us freedom.  Besides anyone can hate, but only a child of God can truly forgive, and that forgiveness not only changes you, but those that witness your act of forgiveness as well. 

I think that when it comes to avoiding adultery and divorce that it is not only a commitment to your spouse, but it has to be a commitment to God as well.  I am extremely blessed to have a wonderful, Godly husband, however, marriage is not always easy and both partners have no other choice but to put God first and in the center of the marriage if they want it to work.  When my husband and I got married we both committed ourselves to never quitting on anything no matter what, we even promised each other that we would never discuss divorce no matter how bad things got.  I really believe that because of this we just always knew that we would have to find a way to work problems out because there was no other option.  I am no expert on these matters I can only speak from my personal experience (6 years of dating and almost 18 years of marriage) and just rely on God to guide me. 

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’ be ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" (vs. 37).  Isn’t this just the truth, we need to quit trying to maneuver our words to fit what we need them to fit, just be honest, yes or no, and stand on truth!  Isn’t that all we can do anyways!

Rejoice in the ones that curse you and now love your enemies?  Again, this I believe is Jesus acting in our best interest.  Always remember Jesus knows everything (the beginning, the middle, and the end of our earthly life), and I believe this is really not about the other person; it is about our soul and our walk with God.  When we humble ourselves down and give to those who persecute us, love those who talk about us, and forgive those who hurt us in imaginable ways, then we not only grow more closer to the likeness of Christ, but through our actions others are brought to Christ.  The Bible is so true, it is easy to love the ones that are like us, the ones that we really like, but honestly what faith is that?  That is easy; the hard part is loving those that seem to be unlovable, however, isn’t it the hard parts that make us better?

When I look back over this entire chapter doesn’t it all go back to love…just love, and isn’t that all Jesus really wants us to do?