“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”
MATTHEW 5:27-48
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbori and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be children 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. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbori and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be children 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. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
JOURNAL
In both of these passages the emphasis is on man's relationship with God and the fruit of that relationship. In Genesis God states that he is the reward and then in Matthew the command is to do something completely illogical...love your enemies.
So why would God make such commands. I think it all goes back to the essence of God actually being Man's God. That God himself is the reward and the goal...not riches or fame or long life...just God and God alone. It also moves the bar so far out of reach for man to ever really fully achieve. I believe this is done so that we can never boast or find equivalency with God. We always miss the mark, we are always in need of his mercy, forgiveness and love.
I struggle with this, it can feel pointless. Why keep trying when I can never really achieve perfection? I think the answer is that it's not the actual perfection but the relationship that occurs in the seeking. In doing so we experience the joy of relationship with God, we understand him better and we become a glimpse of the eternal. Never easy but worth it.
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
In both of these passages the emphasis is on man's relationship with God and the fruit of that relationship. In Genesis God states that he is the reward and then in Matthew the command is to do something completely illogical...love your enemies.
So why would God make such commands. I think it all goes back to the essence of God actually being Man's God. That God himself is the reward and the goal...not riches or fame or long life...just God and God alone. It also moves the bar so far out of reach for man to ever really fully achieve. I believe this is done so that we can never boast or find equivalency with God. We always miss the mark, we are always in need of his mercy, forgiveness and love.
I struggle with this, it can feel pointless. Why keep trying when I can never really achieve perfection? I think the answer is that it's not the actual perfection but the relationship that occurs in the seeking. In doing so we experience the joy of relationship with God, we understand him better and we become a glimpse of the eternal. Never easy but worth it.
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
ROMANS 12:1-2
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