Views: 107

There is an interesting African proverb which says,

“A happy man marries the woman he loves, but a happier man loves the woman he marries.”

Pondering this proverb, I realized if the African man had been Jesus, he would have said,

“A happy person loves the ones who love him(her), but a happier person loves everyone unconditionally.”

This so true. Love has always been a big issue, but the happiest people I know are those who don’t have anything against anyone. Even those who choose to hate them wonder why they are so happy!

This is one of those things that beats conventional wisdom. It is a mystery. However, the fruits bear testimony to it.

READ Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48 RSV)

In Jesus’ time, Judea was part of the Roman empire and governed by a procurator, a representative of the emperor in Rome. Taxes were very high there and over burdened the people. Wealthy Jews would bid for the position of tax collector and get more wealth by adding substantially to whatever was owed.

Tax collectors, were hated by the Jews of Jesus’ day because of their perceived greed and collaboration with the Roman occupiers. The religious leaders also despised the tax collectors and they were considered unclean because of their contact with Romans. They were not even considered redeemable under Moses’ law. They were considered lost forever!

When Jesus made friends with the tax collector, Zacchaeus, his ministry was immediately under suspect (Luke 19:1-10).

Jesus, knowing how abominable the tax collectors were to the Jews, used them in this example to say,

“Don’t the people you consider the most sinful among you also love those who love them and hate those who hate them?”

This is the question Jesus is asking us today; and He shows us a different way.

MEMORY VERSE

“You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

QUESTIONS

1. Are you tempted to love only those who love you?

2. Why not try Jesus’ prescription and see?  He says love those who hate you.

PRAYER TIP

Almighty Father, You know all things. Please help us to take you by your word.

Written by:

BENNY MALM

For:

TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL

URGENT CALL

If you don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior, you need to do that now!

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page. God bless you.

🌹 SPECIAL GRATITUDE 🌹

Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website. 

We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled. 🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️

We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission.