Category: Created for Relationships

Unnatural

Re:Verse reading – Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:17-21  (Day Four)

The Bible is radical!  Usually the instructions in Scripture are diametrically opposed to the teachings of the world.  Scripture says, “love your enemies”, the world says, “hate your enemies”.  Scripture says, “bless those who curse you”, the world says, “curse them back”.  If someone hits you, your first inclination is to hit them back…if they steal from you, get it back.  Jesus taught a relationship with our enemies that feels almost unnatural…in fact, it is supernatural.  We can only respond like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us.  How do you respond when someone does you wrong?  Do you obey Scripture or do you follow the ways of the world?  It is only by faith that this relationship with our enemies can happen.  Choose wisely.

Case

Re: Verse reading–Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:17-21 (day three)

“Leave room for God’s wrath.”  When an enemy has hurt you, that offending party must be brought to justice.  But if you’re the one in charge of jurisprudence, is there much chance for thoughtful and wise remedy?  You would have to answer to God for any judicial malpractice.  You are not without recourse, though.  Here’s what the psalmists learned: Hash it out with God.  Now we see why the Psalms contain such violent imagery: Break the arm of the wicked, happy is he who dashes your infants against the rocks, etc.  These are people pouring out their case to the Lord—all the anger, all the rage, all the pain.  You will find no one who takes you as seriously as the Lord.  He will judge.

Without Expectation

Re: Verse reading–Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:17-21 (day two)

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” – Luke 6:35

Giving without expectation of return; this is an exercise that can only come in the light of Christ’s love. Not only did Jesus willingly sacrifice himself for our ability to taste eternal joy, he did so knowing that we could never possibly repay that debt. We aren’t capable. If we could repay what he did, then it nullifies the cross (Galations 2:21).

In this light can you forgive without receiving forgiveness from another? Can you love when you get nothing back? Will you help, when there is no way the other could ever help you? It’s a step to understanding and loving our savior more.

Love your enemies

Re: Verse reading–Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:17-21 (day one)

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”–Jesus (Luke 6:27-28)  In all of history and literature no words are more fiercely contested.  Unreasonable, impractical say the critics of Christ.  “Old birth” people simply cannot do this work.  Even those who WANT to follow this command find it impossible without a new heart and supernatural support.  Why should we love our enemies?  1) loyalty to Christ demands it, 2) it is the only way to stop the “hate-hurt” cycle, 3) it leads toward conviction and conversion which is the larger, higher purpose of God.  Most of us have miles to go in learning this attitude and practice.  Jesus never changes His demand.  “Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”  Even as we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are praying for our enemies.  It is a start toward love.

Truth about friendship

Re: Verse reading–Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Samuel 20:1-17, 27-42 (day seven)

“And Jonathan. . .loved him [David] as he loved himself.”–1 Samuel 20:17.  TRUTH–Life is to be fortified with many friendships.  TRUTH–“There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother”(Proverbs 18:24)  TRUTH–Friendship has the potential of being the highest form of love. (John 15:12-15)  TRUTH–Sin isolates.  The Enemy whispers that I am enough in myself, that I do not need others, that being with “them” is a waste.  TRUTH–The Spirit of God brings people together in unity and mutual agreement.   TRUTH–solitary confinement is a form of punishment in almost every society, a universally recognized reality.  TRUTH–ability to make and keep friends is the strongest predictor of success in every field of endeavor.  TRUTH–God is very concerned about my friendships and very clear about His expectations of me on this subject.  It is not “my private business”. TRUTH—We will meet together to think/believe/repent/change on this subject today at FBCSA.  TRUTH–We can do this!  Our Friend will help us.

Friends?

Jonathan and David’s friendship only leads me to ask many questions about my own. What should friendship between men even look like? How do we love one another? Is David and Jonathan unique, or does God intend for all of us to have such a friend or friends? Given how busy we are, is this even realistic? How can I get to a place where I am more comfortable sharing my struggles and hopes with another man? Do I even need that type of friendship? Does God want me to be that friend for someone else? Have I ever even approximated a friendship like David and Jonathan’s?

Lots of questions; for some the answers comes easy. I do know that God wants us to have good friends; to share life with good people, who will help us and do us no harm. In many ways I think I only scratch the surface of true friendship, but I am eager and willing learn how to be the kind of friend I need to be.

Me, Myself, and I

Re: Verse reading–Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Samuel 20:1-17, 27-42 (day five)  But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Greetings from St. Louis.  Having spent the better part of the last 2 days on a bus, I can tell you the interaction and conversations are abundant and interesting.  One of my favorite conversation games is “famous movie lines”. From drama to horror to comedy, each of the adults gets a turn to “entertain” the group.  Inevitably, Mel Brooks movies make their way into the conversation.  In his parody of the Star Wars movies, Brooks creates an alien being named MOG. MOG introduces himself in a classic movie quote, “I’m a MOG: half man, half dog.  I’m my own best friend”. (I may have used that one on this trip)

I know believers who have that same mindset.  They live in loneliness, isolation, and obscurity.  Often, it comes from an unwillingness to engage and pursue friendship and community.  Friendship is hard work- patience, forgiveness, honesty, flexibility, and energy are all required.  But the Bible clearly encourages these relationships.  The Christian life is not an “individual sport”.  It is most effective in the context of deep and meaningful friendships.

Faithful Friends

Re: Verse reading–Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Samuel 20:1-17, 27-42 (day four) 

A friend is one who encourages and enables you to do God’s will for your life.  Sometimes it can be costly.  Jonathan was a true friend to David.  He did everything he could to enable David to fulfill God’s plan for his life…even though it came at great personal cost.  When God places a friend in your life and a need arises for them, we must go to God and ask what we can do to help.  Instead of looking at the drain on our time, energy, or finances, we need to come alongside them to enable them to accomplish God’s plan.  Ask God why He has put you in this place and what He wants you to do.  Maybe God has already placed resource in your life to assist.  Maybe you have been through circumstances that have given you insight and wisdom to pass along to them.  Whatever the cost, we must be faithful and loyal to our friends.

Friends

Re: Verse reading—Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Samuel 20:1-17, 27-42 (day three) 

“They kissed each other and wept together.”  In a world where sex is the highest and best form of togetherness, nothing else is never good enough, and all other pursuits wither–especially the pursuit of friendship.  We read that “Jonathan loved [David] as his own soul”.  We hear David grieve Jonathan by declaring “Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women.”  In our day, such things indicate sexual expression–that these men became “more than friends.”  That kind of language cheapens friendship and blinds us to its power.  Jesus taught us that there is no love greater than that of the deepest, most sacrificial friendships.  If Jesus exalted friendship in that way, should we not question what our society has taught us about friendship?

Good Friends

Re: Verse reading–Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Samuel 20:1-17, 27-42 (day two) 

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Have you ever heard the saying “I may have to love you, but I don’t have to like you”? It’s true that we are called to love one another, but does that mean that everyone must become your BFF (best friend forever)? Those who will share that privilege are very few. Jesus had a small circle of friends who shared everything together. David and Jonathan are the example that we are reading this week. These types of friendships challenge us and help us to grow. They sharpen us as iron would sharpen iron. They defend us and keep us accountable. Remember to thank God today for those dear and close friends.