For further instruction and understanding principles of application and how we are to show agape love towards people, I turned to the source of agape, Jesus Christ . If we study what Jesus taught us by His Words and His life, concerning Gods love towards mankind, we will learn much. Tonight my study will start in Luke 6:20-49. How many times have we heard these words of verses 20-26? Herein lies a principle, or basically a law of God that He never breaks as far as I know of. God gives the blessings to people first, and then judgement on their actions after they have received gifts from God. It is the poor, it is the hungry, and those persecuted for His sake, these are the people who hear what Jesus said and then do what Jesus said. Why do I say that, because they are filled, they receive Gods kingdom, and they have their reward in heaven. Compare these people to the others, the rich , they have their consolation. Those that are laughing, they will mourn, those that are full, they will become hungry. Then He said those that are well spoken of by man, are compared to the ones who persecuted the prophets. These are the three woes, if we do not follow through and do what Jesus said. In verses 27-49 , Jesus begins to talk about a new way of life. Its a life that comes from the heart . Its a life of giving, not taking. Jesus said, unto you which hear. They all had heard Him, but this hearing is spiritual. This hearing is faith, this hearing is doing (James 2:14-26). Hearing is one thing, but doing is showing faith. This is the evidence of agape love that God gives to us and we are to give to other people. Then Jesus really takes it far, He said we are to love our enemies and do good to those who hate you. Right now there are two groups of people who fit in this category really well, illegal aliens and terrorists. Illegal aliens because they drain funds of our country. And where did those funds come from, us, and where did we get them God. It was God who enabled us to get the money our country uses. And terrorist, because they hate us and want to kill us. But we have been given life by God, it is God who says when and where we are born, and when and how we are to die. So our lives are not our own, they belong to God. We are to bless those that curse us, and pray for those who despitefull use us. If someone hits us, Jesus said turn the other cheek . If some one takes away our cloke , and dont forbid them to take our coat also. We are to give to every one that asks us, and if they take away our goods, not to ask for them back. ( these are our material possessions, things we have worked hard for, but we are to give and not ask back) Jesus said as you would have man do to you, do also to them likewise . We are to treat people as God treats us. Starting in verses 32-38 Jesus clarifies all He had just said. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. If you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. And if you lend to them of whom ye hope to receive , what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Verse 35-38 , but love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the un thankful and to the evil. Be ye merciful, as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete ( measure) with all it shall be measured to you again. In verse 38 , Jesus said it would be men who give to you, what you measure out, that is what you will receive. This compliments what Jesus said in verse 31, what you want men to do to you, do to them .
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 01:34:43 +0000