6For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8
38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Matthew 5:38-48
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
God created us and breathed Life into our Soul.
The creation was given to us by God as his good gift to us.
Then we took the created order and made it our god.
Because we think the Life of our soul comes from the good gifts of God.
Then he sent Jesus to die so that God will forgive and restore us back to the image he gave us in the beginning.
After being a follower of Jesus for a while, it’s easy to forget the “while we were yet sinners” part of Romans 5:8 is talking about us. I tend to think it is talking about everyone else besides me.
This means I’ve gotta stop and remember I’m the one who put Jesus up on the cross. Not the religious leaders of his day. Not Pilot. Not the soldiers.
Me. My sin. My desire to make the created order the provider of my soul.
So when Jesus tells us to “love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us,” he knows what it feels like to Sacrifice for those who actively seek our demise.
So when Jesus tells us to “walk an extra mile when a soldier forces you to carry his heavy pack one mile,” he knows what it is like to go the extra mile for people who actively abuse you.
When you’re a leader, you’ll get people to don’t get it. They won’t want it. They’ll do what they can to smear you.
No matter what you do.
Jesus’ call to sacrifice isn’t just for those who love us back. His call to sacrifice is for anyone and everyone.
Faith isn’t faith if we can see the end.
Faith isn’t faith if we can clearly see the “why?”.
Yet, we must have faith treating our enemies in this way will bring us Life inside our soul.
Retaliation and revenge brings death. It’s said hatred is like “drinking poison and thinking it’ll kill the other person.” Thinking revenge will bring Life to my soul only injects poison into the deepest parts of me. Retaliation will consume me.
Love through Sacrifice will bring Life to my soul and Life to the other person (no matter if they accept the Life or not). Prayer will let me lay my grievances at the foot of the Cross of Christ and carry them no further.
This does not mean it’s easy. This does not mean pray once and it is over. This does mean we lay down the grievance every time it comes up in our mind and heart. And as we pray, we’ll find a Life only God can give.
Leadership will bring enemies. Sacrifice for them too because you don’t want them to consume you.
(Please Note: The above context is leadership. The application is those who want to smear you…aka, give you one star just because. The application isn’t physical, emotional or sexual abuse. In these situations, the principles of Jesus remain…revenge will eat at your soul. Loving and sacrificing for your enemy and those who abuse you doesn’t mean staying close to them. If this is you, seek refuge and seek help.)
The goal is to lead you to engage with God’s Word so you can Hear & Follow Jesus in the everyday…especially in your leadership. Sign up for daily emails at the button below to receive the content in your inbox. You’ll receive a 1-minute email read with a link to a 5-minute blog read each day.