Loving Your Enemies Takes 20-20 Spiritual Vision!
20-20 Spiritual Vision!
Yesterday, I dealt with loving your enemies. The Word is very clear on this point. I encourage you to read it again if your not clear on it or if you didn’t get a chance to read it. Today I want to deal with one simple, yet very necessary and profound thought.
How can you really love someone who hurts you, wrongs you and despitefully uses you. It’s not just a good idea, it is necessary as far as God is concerned. It is a God idea. Love your enemies. I used the gospel of John Yesterday and today I want to look at Matthew 5:43-47 -
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ……….. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? KJV
We hopefully understand the need to love your enemies but how do I view them without feeling hateful or angry? It will take some supernatural vision but hopefully I can simply explain the how! Read these scriptures very carefully.
Gen 3:13 And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." NKJV
1 Tim 2:13-15 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. NKJV
Titus 3:1-7
3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. NKJV
In Titus what was it that reached out to each of us, while we were still in our sin and deception? God’s Kindness and love! (These are really translated just agape) Without that, we would all be lost and yet we were all there at one time. God saves us at different times and yet it doesn’t mean that we are somehow better than the next person. In fact God treats us all the same.
To understand how to actively love a sinner is to first see them for who they really are. If I asked you to love a poor starving child you could do that very easily. I have had the privilege to help feed the poor, helpless and sick people around the world. These have been some of my most cherished opportunities in my life. They are hungry for many reasons, but the one common thread is that they are hungry. If we begin to see people as Christ sees people then we will find it easy to love those who hate us and despitefully use us.
The Bibles says that Eve was deceived, yet Adam sinned willingly. I know this is true but not completely understood. Eve was deceived directly by the enemy and Adam knew what he was doing. Adam had walked with God and yet made the wrong decision. Adam was self deceived by his own lust. Once we have truly walked with God, we have no excuse but notice God restored and continued to love Adam.
I believe no one in their right mind (true understanding) would reject God. For this reason, All men are deceived (Titus 3:3) and are in need of the truth. When someone acts out on you they are really angry at God and with themselves. Jesus said that they really don’t hate you they hate me. He knew they hated him and He showed them nothing but love.
John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. NKJV
Jesus hates evil works and deeds but He loves the individual. This is not an emotion alone. Jesus chose to actively love them while they crucified Him He was actively loving them. If you get a real 20/20 vision of how Jesus sees sinners you will find it easy to hate the sin that hold them in bondage and love the sinner. See the sinner for who he is. They are deceived and in great need of the love of Jesus. We posses that love and must be willing to act like Christ did towards those who He wept over. On the Cross He asked for their forgiveness. We must strive to love our enemies as Christ loves them.
I hope this devotion helps you live your life by walking deeper into theKingdom of God
Current family and Ministry News!
Kristy and I had the privilege to go to the hospital and pray with Trigger before her surgery and she was just a little out of it! She is such a wonderful and sweet person. I missed our staff prayer because of that but everyone understood. Later, Trigger called and told me that her doctor got sick and postponed the surgery. All I can say is that we prayed God’s will and protection and I believe that is exactly what God did. I then had a staff meeting and numerous meetings. We have been trying to sell three older buses and a very dear friend to this ministry who attends another church asked about them. After speaking with him we decided to just donate them to his church so they can just keep on doing the work of the kingdom. In the afternoon I received a call from a person who wanted to know if we could meet. I found some time and they came by and said that they had been given some money and wanted to be a blessing to the Church. They gave a much needed offering of $3500 to general fund and $1000 to one of our Crossfire Ministries. It was very needed and was cause for much rejoicing. The day was amazing. Kristy and I were personally in need of a financial miracle and between our tax return and a gift from a very faithful friend we were able to pay our house payment and a few other bills we needed to pay before the end of the month. God is always so faithful and takes such wonderful care of us. When we picked up the kids they were full of stories of the day to the point they were talking over each other. Although I had to make them talk one at a time, I am so thankful they are so eager to share their day with us. Kristy’s leg/hip is feeling better but continue to keep her in our prayers. She is such a wonderful mother and I am thankful she is so excited about Maverick. She takes such good care of him already. Please pray for our horse, Buddy. This morning when we fed him, he didn’t come to eat. This evening he still had not eaten. We went out in the field and find him in very bad shape. We believe he has a very bad case of horse influenza. We brought him into a stall and tomorrow we are hoping the vet will be able to help him and get him to eat!
Please pray for this need, I know it is a horse but God is not limited. Most of all we don’t want him to suffer. We also have a cilvil court hearing coming up and really want God’s Will in it all. We love all of you and appreciate your love, prayers and support. Pastor Aaron and Kristy
Yesterday, I dealt with loving your enemies. The Word is very clear on this point. I encourage you to read it again if your not clear on it or if you didn’t get a chance to read it. Today I want to deal with one simple, yet very necessary and profound thought.
How can you really love someone who hurts you, wrongs you and despitefully uses you. It’s not just a good idea, it is necessary as far as God is concerned. It is a God idea. Love your enemies. I used the gospel of John Yesterday and today I want to look at Matthew 5:43-47 -
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ……….. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? KJV
We hopefully understand the need to love your enemies but how do I view them without feeling hateful or angry? It will take some supernatural vision but hopefully I can simply explain the how! Read these scriptures very carefully.
Gen 3:13 And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." NKJV
1 Tim 2:13-15 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. NKJV
Titus 3:1-7
3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. NKJV
In Titus what was it that reached out to each of us, while we were still in our sin and deception? God’s Kindness and love! (These are really translated just agape) Without that, we would all be lost and yet we were all there at one time. God saves us at different times and yet it doesn’t mean that we are somehow better than the next person. In fact God treats us all the same.
To understand how to actively love a sinner is to first see them for who they really are. If I asked you to love a poor starving child you could do that very easily. I have had the privilege to help feed the poor, helpless and sick people around the world. These have been some of my most cherished opportunities in my life. They are hungry for many reasons, but the one common thread is that they are hungry. If we begin to see people as Christ sees people then we will find it easy to love those who hate us and despitefully use us.
The Bibles says that Eve was deceived, yet Adam sinned willingly. I know this is true but not completely understood. Eve was deceived directly by the enemy and Adam knew what he was doing. Adam had walked with God and yet made the wrong decision. Adam was self deceived by his own lust. Once we have truly walked with God, we have no excuse but notice God restored and continued to love Adam.
I believe no one in their right mind (true understanding) would reject God. For this reason, All men are deceived (Titus 3:3) and are in need of the truth. When someone acts out on you they are really angry at God and with themselves. Jesus said that they really don’t hate you they hate me. He knew they hated him and He showed them nothing but love.
John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. NKJV
Jesus hates evil works and deeds but He loves the individual. This is not an emotion alone. Jesus chose to actively love them while they crucified Him He was actively loving them. If you get a real 20/20 vision of how Jesus sees sinners you will find it easy to hate the sin that hold them in bondage and love the sinner. See the sinner for who he is. They are deceived and in great need of the love of Jesus. We posses that love and must be willing to act like Christ did towards those who He wept over. On the Cross He asked for their forgiveness. We must strive to love our enemies as Christ loves them.
I hope this devotion helps you live your life by walking deeper into the
Current family and Ministry News!
Kristy and I had the privilege to go to the hospital and pray with Trigger before her surgery and she was just a little out of it! She is such a wonderful and sweet person. I missed our staff prayer because of that but everyone understood. Later, Trigger called and told me that her doctor got sick and postponed the surgery. All I can say is that we prayed God’s will and protection and I believe that is exactly what God did. I then had a staff meeting and numerous meetings. We have been trying to sell three older buses and a very dear friend to this ministry who attends another church asked about them. After speaking with him we decided to just donate them to his church so they can just keep on doing the work of the kingdom. In the afternoon I received a call from a person who wanted to know if we could meet. I found some time and they came by and said that they had been given some money and wanted to be a blessing to the Church. They gave a much needed offering of $3500 to general fund and $1000 to one of our Crossfire Ministries. It was very needed and was cause for much rejoicing. The day was amazing. Kristy and I were personally in need of a financial miracle and between our tax return and a gift from a very faithful friend we were able to pay our house payment and a few other bills we needed to pay before the end of the month. God is always so faithful and takes such wonderful care of us. When we picked up the kids they were full of stories of the day to the point they were talking over each other. Although I had to make them talk one at a time, I am so thankful they are so eager to share their day with us. Kristy’s leg/hip is feeling better but continue to keep her in our prayers. She is such a wonderful mother and I am thankful she is so excited about Maverick. She takes such good care of him already. Please pray for our horse, Buddy. This morning when we fed him, he didn’t come to eat. This evening he still had not eaten. We went out in the field and find him in very bad shape. We believe he has a very bad case of horse influenza. We brought him into a stall and tomorrow we are hoping the vet will be able to help him and get him to eat!
Please pray for this need, I know it is a horse but God is not limited. Most of all we don’t want him to suffer. We also have a cilvil court hearing coming up and really want God’s Will in it all. We love all of you and appreciate your love, prayers and support. Pastor Aaron and Kristy
posted by Aaron Taylor at 12:44 PM
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