Dubai conference with sister claire Andoun .pt 1b (+playlist)

For taking your time to study remain blessed.

TOPIC:  YOU ARE BOUND TO LOVE THE UNLOVABLE.  MONDAY JULY 24

TEXT:  MATTHEW 5:43-44

KEY VERSE:   “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; clip to that which is good”. (Romans 12:9).

 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you. Love your enemies”. Who is an enemy? He is an unfriendly opponent, somebody who hates and seeks to harm or cause trouble for somebody else. Our Lord and Saviour commands, “Love your enemies.” An enemy is someone who fights against another person in combat or battle. He is a hostile person who has a plan or purpose to hurt or harm you. As true children of God, we are commanded to love all our enemies.

The context of this passage defines and describes the enemies who we are to love. The enemies “curse”, they “hate”, “despise” and “persecute” us. They are “evil” and “unjust” in their dealings with us. They do not love us, neither will they even “salute” or “greet” us. They may not even respond to our greeting. Yet our Lord has commanded that His true disciples reflect His love at all times and in all situations. Whatever our enemies say or do against us, true believers must respond with love. That’s what makes a difference between you and people of the world.

The Lord commands, both in the Old and the New Testaments, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Whatever “thy neighbour” does or does not do, “thou shalt love him as thyself.” And this love must be sincere, not insincere or hypocritical. Our love for neighbours must be practical, beneficial and profitable. “Open rebuke is better that secret love.” Sincere love is unfeigned love. “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

Our understanding of sincere, scriptural love is as important as our definition and identification of “neighbour,” But he, willing to justify himself said unto Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Many people so narrow down the definition or description of the neighbour to exclude strangers, sinners and enemies. True believers, citizens of the Kingdom of God, are to love everyone, including their enemies (real or imaginary). “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20-21).

Thought for the day:  Be like your Father in heaven: love your enemies and pray for them.

Song for the day: Behold what manner of love the Father…

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 41-43; Acts 24

 #horemow.