Living the Message

Loving Your Neighbor

Today, Pastor Henry spoke about Jesus' inconvenient truth in Matthew 5:21-26.

21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 25 "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Jesus is teaching here that not only is it wrong to kill another person, it is wrong just to be angry with them. If we are angry with them, we are killing their spirit. Anger seems like a natural human response to certain situations, but this is because we need a change of heart before we can do what Jesus commands us to do. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."

How are we going to love our neighbors and promote their well-being this week? I think we need to remember how every other person we come in contact with is created in God's image just as we are. It is so important to listen to where the other person is coming from and communicate clearly with them and to pray.

Labels: Sermon on the Mount

posted by Jewels @ 3:31 PM