The Surprise of God’s Love
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The Surprise of God’s Love
Jesus shocked His Jewish audience when He replaced the non biblical idea of hating one’s enemies with the idea of loving them. (Matthew 5: 43-44)Love Your Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[g] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. The Jewish tradition of hating one’s enemies had achieved Scripture like status among the Jews, A status Jesus debunked.
The apostle Paul takes that teaching a step further when he points out that it would be a rare occasion when someone might die for another person, even a righteous person. (Romans 5:7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
Much less an enemy. Who would die for an enemy? God did, Paul says, God demonstrated His love for us, His enemies, by dying for us. (Romans 5:10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
(Colossians 1:21) And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
The Surprise of God’s Love
So when God says I love you, He is saying He chose to love someone who, before being reconciled to Him through faith in Christ, was His enemy. What a shock to the world system! The world thinks its normal to love our friends but not to love our enemies. Yet God’s love is countercultural again.
God loves both His friends and enemies, as should we. If there is somebody unlovely in your life today, surprise them with your love.
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word. When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer. There’s nothing that’s too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at www.faithministries.com.au. When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you. So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.faithministries.com.au/contact/
2018 IS A YEAR TO BELIEVE
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