MFM Daily Devotional October 17 2022
THEME: The New Way Of Life (III)
SCRIPTURE: – Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is so profound that it has continued to bless and impact successive generations of Christians. One outstanding quality of the sermon is that it reveals the new way of life that Jesus practised and introduced.
Let us examine how Jesus taught about love in this unique sermon. Matthew 5:38-48, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (NKJV).
It sounds logical to love one’s neighbour and hate one’s enemies, but that is not the position of the Scripture under the New Testament. Jesus said we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute or despitefully use us. Did he live what he taught? Yes, He did. As He lay on the Cross in excruciating pain, Jesus said, “… Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:34a). Also as Stephen was being stoned, he said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60b). I enjoin you to follow the examples of Christ and Stephen. Love your enemies and pray for those that hate or persecute you. Follow peace with all men!
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
- My Father, help me to love as Jesus loves, in the name of Jesus.
- My Father, help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me, in the name of Jesus.
- I receive the grace to love my enemies and pray for them, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
- I receive the grace to obey God unquestioningly, in the name of Jesus.
- Father, make me perfect as You are perfect, in the name of Jesus.
- I appropriate the blessings of the new way of life in Christ, in the name of Jesus.
- O God, arise and give me a new song, in the name of Jesus.
Credit for today’s Mountain of fire‘s daily devotional October 17 2022: Mountain of Fire Ministries/Mountain of Fire