The actions of a Christ-Follower must follow in characteristic to their nature. As a “new creation” our nature has been changed, but this new calling is still resident in a sin-cursed-world. Jesus gives clear and convicting markers for identifying the new nature.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” – Jesus
Observations & Conclusions:
- Our treatment of others must not depend on who they are to us or what they’ve done to us
- Our treatment of others must depend on how we’ve been treated by God
- A. A Christian is a new creation
– he has died to his old “self”
– but a non-Christian is concerned ONLY with self - B. A Christian acts without worldly discrimination
– he recognizes God’s sovereign control
– but a non-Christian treats his neighbor with either privilege or retaliation - C. A Christian lives for eternal reward
– he doesn’t give only to receive
– but a non-Christian gives only where he sees value - D. A Christian patterns his life after his heavenly Father
– he lives to further God’s character and reputation
– but a non-Christian judges according to what can be culturally permitted
Application: How?
- Bless them that curse you
- Do good to those who hate you
- Pray for those who persecute you
Matthew 5:43-48
“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.”
Luke 6:27-28
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who persecute you.”
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new has come!”
Luke 10:33-35
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’”
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Leviticus 11:44-45
“I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.”
Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”