"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." Matthew 5:44-45

Yesterday involved looking at the traditional interpretation of loving your neighbors and hating your enemies. Now I get to hear what was God's original intention. When I think about these passages in the context of the time, it begins to make more sense as to the structure of this sermon. Most of the men had been to Hebrew school, or the equivalent. The women would have been taught just enough to get by. Most couldn't study from scrolls, they were far too scarce and valuable... So they would have been taught and learned by rote... The common approach in an oral society. I can't help but think how fortunate we are to have the ability to learn not only through printed word, but electronic media as well.

You know, it's not too hard for me to "love my enemies, and pray for those that persecute me". After all, I'm named for the first Christian Martyr... And I don't have too many enemies. The ones I have I don't have to deal with face to face. But what would my attitude be if I had someone that I was in open confrontation with on a daily basis. I've had that experience, unfortunately it was a spouse... But I'm not the only one that has had to deal with that one. To be honest, I didn't deal with it very well. I would find myself trying to justify myself and my actions more than trying to love them. As they would push me away, I found it easier to retreat and deal with it from afar. It was sort of like Tim on Tool Time and his neighbor... There was always a fence between us, and I never could see the entire face of the problem.

But why am I to love my enemies? Christ answers it by saying, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." My brother Bill and I talked recently about having a hero for a father. Our dad is well known, both in our church affiliations and in the communities in which we lived. I could never do anything that someone didn't see, and unfortunately report. But you know what, away from my family, I behaved pretty well... Why? Because I knew that it would cause someone to look badly at my parents, and they didn't deserve that. Christ is telling me here, that I need to love my enemies and pray for them because people will see that we are God's children. It's up to us to uphold the family name. I may not like doing it at times, but do I want someone coming to God and telling him (as if he needed it) what was going on. Parents have that knack, you know. They may not know all the details, but they know. Who would tattle-tale on us? Satan for one. When the book of Job opens, we find Satan in a meeting with God, and he "Accuses" Job to Him. Even if God were to say, "Kids will be kids"... Satan's going to be in His face saying, "Look at how he's behaving... What kind of kid are you raising, anyway?"

The biggie out of this verse for me is the last sentence: " He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Evil is going to be in the world, and I can't do anything about it. I can have an affect my immediate circle of influence, and by doing that hopefully have an impact... Sort of Amway Christianity. I'll win a few, and if they win a few.... Etc. I've often tried to visualize how many souls will make it to heaven because of my Dad. The thousands that have come to know the Lord through his ministry, the tens-of-thousands that have been influenced through their ministry. In my brother and my life alone, I can point to a good number... And we are only a two people a half generation removed. If the Lord holds off on making good His promise to come back and take us out of this rat race, I can only begin to imagine the impact. In the meantime, the sun is going to shine on the evil, and the rain will fall... I can't do anything about that, but I can try to have an impact so there are less evil ones to benefit from the beauty and the nourishment God provides.

Father, you have asked me to do something that is difficult for me... To love my enemy. I can pray, that an easy one, because I don't have to "really" be face-to-face with them. Don't test me today... Please? If you do, I'm not sure I could do it. But that's your point, isn't it? I don't have to do it through my own efforts. Open my heart to the influence of your Spirit. Allow me to put my own desires aside and have your Spirit take over. There are a lot of things I can't change... But the one thing I can is my attitude toward you. I want to be a good kid... Thanks for understanding, Dad.
- posted by Steve R. @ 12:25 PM

 
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' " Matthew 5:43.

Another section starting with "You have heard" indicating that Jesus is quoting the popular teaching of the day. It start with "Love your neighbor". How can you love your neighbor if you don't know who they are? I know one of my neighbors, at least I know one of their names. I know them because my wife and I were out to eat one night and she pointed them out to me. We spoke, Marcia introduced me, but to be honest, if I met them on the street, I wouldn't know them well enough to speak.

One of our neighbors hadn't been very friendly. They had a couple of teenage kids... Who like shooting off bottle rockets. Pretty annoying at time. I'm always finding the remnants of their pre-NASA experiments in my yard. A couple of months ago our new puppy escaped from the back yard, and the boys rounded her up and put her on a rope. They went up and down the street looking for her owner. When we got home, they brought her to the house. Marcia and I decided good behavior should be rewarded, so we gave them a gift certificate for the local theatre. They've been a lot more friendly since then. They wave when we back out of the driveway. That's more than they ever did before.

Our next door neighbors are new. They are one of the few black families in the community. I don't know a thing about them. Don't know how many kids there are. Nothing. In fact, there's only one person on our street who I do know. They go to church with us, and the husband, Jim, sends me a birthday card each year. I saw an e-mail from the church office a couple of days ago that said that Dorothy didn't get a good report at the doctor regarding a lumpectomy, and that they were going to have to go to "a specialist". Don't have a clue what that means.

It seems strange. Through the computer, I've developed friends and neighbors all over the world. But the technology has expanded my boundaries and isolated me from the immediate. What I mean is, I can converse and commiserate with people in my cyber-neighborhood, but I don't have a clue of what's going on in the lives of the people in my physical neighborhood.

Would I choose to have a relationship with someone I don't know anything about? Nope. So, how can I begin to love someone who I don't know anything about? For a year, I've had the nagging thought that I should do something to reach out to our newer next door neighbor. But, I'm so busy! I've got a lot of obligations at church, music to learn, chores to do, quality time with the wife to spend... And I'm so tired by the time the weekend comes around and I'm finally home.

As for hating my enemies. That's easy. I even have the 52 card deck with the faces of the leaders in Iraq. I've said before, "I don't get mad, I get even." That one I don't have a problem doing. But that isn't the point, is it... Christ is getting ready to drop the bomb. News at eleven.

Father, I can't even meet the intent of the popular version of the law. I don't particularly want to know my neighbors... Even the ones in my local congregation. I don't have time. It's too much work. I don't like meeting strangers. We don't have anything in common. We aren't of the same race. Do any of this excuses cut it? No? Well, how can I begin to love someone that I don't know? Ask the Samaritan? I don't get it. Rather, I don't want to get it. How will they know how much you love me? OK... I'm starting to see the picture. It doesn't matter what I want, what matters is that they know what you want... And I can't do that unless I'm willing to build a relationship. You're right, I've been pretty selfish. Forgive me.
- posted by Steve R. @ 6:36 AM

 
"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Matthew 5:42

Ever do anything that you know is right, but just bugged the stew out of you all week? I've had one of those cases this week. Last Sunday, a group of about ten of us went out to eat at Lonestar's after church. As we were leaving a woman came up to us carrying a 5 gallon gas can and stopped one of the ladies in our group. Her story was that she was a single Christian mother, her car's gas gauge didn't work and she had run out of gas. When asked what she needed, she indicated that if we could just bless her with some money for gas, that would be great. By the time she left us, we had probably given her $50. She didn't head back to the car. Instead she headed into the restaurant to use the restroom and she wanted to call her church. Of course, how would she know we were Christians. It was early Sunday afternoon, and we had on our uniforms... women were dressed nicely, and the men had on shirts and ties.

There's a part of me that thinks we were taken. It's happened to me before. I'm a giver, and a soft touch. God has blessed me financially, and I tend to be willing to spread the wealth. There are parts of this lady's story that just doesn't fit... But I have to give her credit, she was prepared. That was a BIG gas can she was carrying... And she was carrying it like you would the family bible, in front of her cradled in both arms. It probably has worked for her a lot. She left the impression that her kids were in the car... But after she got the money, she refused a ride from two of the women to be taken to the nearest gas station which was nearly a mile away. She was heading into the restaurant to use the bathroom and to call her church. It was at a time there would not likely be anyone at the church.

When I was in the located ministry, I've had to deal with a lot of transients who prey on churches to make their living. Many of the churches have banned together to control how much and what is given to these people. I was responsible for that fund in Orleans, IN. A year later, I had taken a position in Ocala, FL. The first day there, a guy I had helped in Orleans came in to the church with the same story to ask for help. I called him on it... Of course he denied it... And I refused to help him. Anyway, I think they would have his Uncle's funeral by that time... So I really think he would have already missed it.

So what ARE we to do. Christ says we are to give, and not refuse to loan money if we are asked. But aren't there verses that say not to be a co-signer? Isn't there a verse that says don't be a lender or a borrower? If so, why are we to enable others who refuse to earn a living? Well, I guess being a professional beggar is a job... I'm not sure it would look good on a resume... But it's a vocation. Even Art Linkletter was a hobo for a few years. It's sort of Bedouin... Has an artsy feel to it. But that's not usually the case.

I think what Christ is saying, is that we should help anyway. After all, when someone physically attacks us, we are not to resist. If people lie to us, are we to react differently? We are blessed in this country. Most of us, could help someone, even if it was a slice of bread and butter... At least they wouldn't starve. And there is nothing here that says, If they are GOOD liars help them out... It just says take action. So, maybe I did OK after all.

Father, this morning I'm Monday morning quarterbacking what can't be undone. And you know, I think it was the right thing. How would I feel if I came to you and threw myself at your feet and said, "I'm morally bankrupt. I can't do anything without your help. Please help me." I have, and when I did, you gave me your Son. Father, help me pay it forward. Let me just show Christ. I'll let you deal with the liars and the thieves. I'll just let you separate the wheat from the tares. After all, when you were naked... I get the point.
- posted by Steve R. @ 5:40 AM

 
"If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."
Matthew 5:41

My Dad used to preach a sermon called the second mile. It was a great message... one of those sermons that stick in your brain. In fact, it was so good that he would use it for trial sermons and revivals. I was only 7 or 8 the first time I heard the sermon, but I could quote it to you verbatim. It was that powerful. Later, when I had the opportunity to preach myself, I would preach that sermon as well.

The background behind this verse is that under Roman rule, if a roman citizen chose to do so, they could conscript anyone to carry their pack for them. However, they could only force them to carry the pack for a mile. I remember Dad describing in his sermon how the Jewish boys would measure exactly a mile out in each direction from their house. There they would drive a peg into the ground so that they would know the exact distance they would have to go to meet the requirements of the law.

Dad's sermon then talked about what would the reaction be if instead of just doing what was required, what would the reaction be from those around us if we went twice as far as we had to go? At home, at work, anywhere? My thoughts go to a commercial that I've seen lately about a stock broker. There's a series of them... one about a lemonade stand.... but the point is that the kid gives far more than the customer ever expected. And how, if he was like that as a kid... what more would he do for you as their customer now? The thought of Christ was so powerful the phrase "going the second mile" is an English idiom.

I know I tend to go the second mile... but why? Because I want to impress those around me? Because I have a good work ethic? Do I do it for personal gain... or to show other's Christ? How many times do I just do what I have to do? The bare minimums... just enough to get by? How many times do I only go a half-mile?

Father, if I get proud about what I do for others, remind me of how much you have done for us? When I get comfortable thinking that I'm doing enough for you, remind me of how much you sacrificed for me. When I'm thinking that I've given all that I can give, remind me of how much you gave for me. In those times, Lord, humble me... and forgive me. Then, motivate me to go beyond the expected, so that those around me will not see me, but that they will see you. Thank you Father for going that second mile with me, not to carry a back pack... but to carry my cross.
- posted by Steve R. @ 6:23 AM

 
"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. " Matthew 5:39,40

Christ has just pointed out that the law has said "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". As is his pattern in this discourse, He is now giving us God's intention. He says, don't resist someone who is evil... Turn the other cheek." I don't know about you, but that's darn near impossible for me. I have had several people say about me that when it comes to a confrontation, I don't lose. Treat me nice and I'll give you the shirt off my back... Get in my face and I'll bury you. I think it stems from a competitive spirit and attitude that's a part of our family's heritage. To a point that competitiveness has served me well. I've become one of the top experts in the field of Software Configuration Management and until the last couple of years had never taken a class in computers... I was self taught. A competitive, stick to it, I'm not going to lose attitude works well with inanimate objects and with overcoming personal challenges: but what about with people. Does it serve as well there. Nope!

When it comes to people I have to be more flexible. In Florida we have a lot of Palm trees... And we have lots of storms, especially in the summer. Whenever the storm starts raging, and the wind begins to blow... We end up with a lot of damage. During one strong wind, an old Live Oak tree in my back yard was blown over... Destroyed by the buffeting wind. But during those storms if I look out at a palm tree... I see a different response. The trees are nearly bent parallel to the ground. By being so flexible, they are able to survive the storm. Granted, they don't have much of a root system, so they sometime are easily toppled... But just set them upright again, and they are just fine: thank you very much. If the palm tree had a deeper root system along with their flexibility, they would seldom be damaged. This verse is telling me that I need to be more like that... Allow the evil to blow past me... Take what it gives me, and when it's over... Just stand up straight.

The last half tells me something else... Evil may appear to win sometimes. If you are sued, give them more than they are asked? Again part of this resistance... Rather lack of resistance thing. But, why?

There is a lot of talk these days about building relationships. That through building relationships we can win the lost to Christ. If two people are locked into an adversarial position, then the emphasis is on winning... Not on relationship building. Maybe that's the point of this... If I don't do what is expected when someone does evil toward me, then they will say, "Wattsthematterwichya" and I can tell them about how much I had tried to hurt God through my actions... How he just kept loving me... No matter what I did. Hmmmm.... Passive aggressive evangelism? Well, I'll have to think about that one a bit.

Father, starting this morning I have a lot on my plate. And one of the things I'm going to have to face today is resistance. Help me deal wisely and flexibly with this resistance... But at the same time give me the root system through your Spirit not to be uprooted. I can't begin to count the number of times that I slapped you in the face, Lord, by my actions. The number of times that I've disappointed and hurt you by my behavior. Every time you took a blow from me, you could have taken me out... Instead you would say to me, "I love you". Father, forgive me for being so stupid. You know what? I love you, too.

- posted by Steve R. @ 6:00 AM

 
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'" Matthew 5:38

Here's another one of those "You've been told" statements. It's a rule of retribution that has been around before Moses and has I think has been around since Cain knocked Abel up the side of the head. When Cain was being sent away, he was downright afraid for his life... Until he had the mark put on him... Whatever that was. But the rule was pretty simple... If you hurt someone, you could expect that someone would hurt you an equal amount. I remember hearing about a fuss that went on between two families up in the hills of Virginia (where my first ministry was after college) that were a feudin' because the teenage boy of one family bit the dog of the other family. The oldest boy of the family where the first dog had been bit, went and bit a chunk out of the ear of the first family's prize bluetick hunting dog... And then it was on. This was similar to the law of the Old Testament. You could hurt them an equal amount but not more... Thus the "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" rule. This could get pretty serious in manslaughter cases, or in the event of an accident. So Cities of Refuge were set up where you could escape to if you were involved in such a case. As long as you were inside the city you were safe... Step even a foot outside, and you were fair game.

One of my favorite sayings is, "I don't get mad, I get even". But how often am I satisfied when I do get revenge? And there's a real part of me that secretly hopes that "they'll get theirs". Just like some of those mountain feuds, I've held some grudges for years. I know... Most people don't think of me as vengeful... And maybe I'm not. But I have a hard time letting go of things.

I was once told that my greatest asset in the business world is that people underestimate me. That if someone crosses me, that it isn't long before that person is transferred or relieved of their responsibilities, or assisted in making a career decision. I don't go out of my way to get people in trouble. Actually, a part of my job is to make sure that people are complying with our process and if they aren't behind the program to make some choices. But it bothers me that someone would look at the role I'm required to play and think that I'm doing it to get even. I'm not really... Or am I?

Father, I'm forced to look at myself closely in light of this single sentence. Do I harbor resentment for others because I've been hurt? Does my sense of humor hide more than sarcasm and cynicism? Do I go out of my way to make sure I'm vindicated? Father, allow your Spirit to convict me of my wrong-doings. Help me understand your will... Father, I need a refuge. I've committed murder through my sins... I've caused the death of your only Son. Thank you for providing a place of Refuge for my soul.
- posted by Steve R. @ 2:49 AM

 
"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matt 5:37.

Here's the point Christ was making in this section of his Sermon. He has just said, you've been told to keep your oaths made to God. And basically he's said don't use sneaky tactics to try to get around telling the truth. And here it is... simply let your words be honest and true.

In my researching this passage, this was not a new concept to the time. Pythagorus wrote something similar to his students. It was said that the Essenes would never take an oath, but their word was more binding than an oath. We've seen how an oath generally involves an invocation of a diety to attest to the truthfulness of the statement... and there could be pretty severe consequences involved. Ananias and Sapphira can attest to that.

The point is simple. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Sounds easy enough... but how many times do I only tell enough of what needs to be said to leave the impression I want. This is a world of spin, and it's really easy to put a statement out there in a way that only says what you want to be said. There are times when I'm told not to tell all of a situation at work. More likely for me, when do you keep from giving TMI (too much information). Marcia has on many occasions covered her ears and started singing loudly to block out what I was saying. Or more likely, exiled me to a state of unwanted celibacy for saying too much. In any case, it's not that easy. I guess I'd better pay more attention.

Father, your request is simple enough... but it's so difficult to do. Sometimes I feel I have to protect others... or protect myself. Sometimes it's the "wrong audience" to be totally candid. Sometimes I want to look better than I really am. For whatever reason, I'm hearing a commonality in this problem... the word 'I'. It really does come down to getting myself and my pride out of the way, and letting your words be my words: letting your thoughts be my thoughts, isn't it? Father, humble me. Speak through me.
- posted by Steve R. @ 6:54 AM