new era

​Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…’".

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A blessed New Year to everyone as we praise God for His goodness, mercy, and grace! Praying for a year of impactful service in Him, let us consider this:

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Matthew 5:43-44 is one of the many narratives Jesus used to help us move beyond how we live in our flesh and how we should live in the Spirit. That’s why He started with “You have heard…”.  As followers of the true and Living God, Jesus wants us to understand that our nature is to directly reflect the nature of our Father. He helped us know that God doesn’t love us because we are good. He doesn’t love us because we know the scriptures. No. The reason God showers us with an abundance of love is because He is love, and it’s impossible for Him to go against His nature. This powerful, unconditional love is the source of inspiration and hope, that we have and that the world needs.

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Romans 5:8 says that God proves His love for us in that while we were sinners, Jesus died for us. As followers of Christ, we are to submit our lives to the Spirit of God so we can receive the strength and ability to love God, as God loves us, and as importantly, to love others—including our enemies. If we only love those who love us, we are no different than the people of the world, right? So, because we have been called to stand out from the world, we are to recognize that our proper stance today is to stand in love. “They will know we are Christians by our love”  (John 13:35).

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Just as Jesus pursued our sinful souls, we must seek and intercede for the salvation of our enemies and every unsaved person we know. When we do, we demonstrate the same grace God has extended to us, and we become a true reflection of our God.

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So, ask yourself—in your small circle of acquaintances, who would the Lord have you add to your prayer list, reach out to directly, and give special attention to concern for their salvation? In this New Year, as we pray for our family, friends, and loved ones, let's also pray for our enemies, too. May we each, through love and prayer, make a difference in our small world that will have a huge impact for the Lord. May God bless all of our efforts in Him!

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In His Service,

Sis. Brenda Rucker