AS IT WAS, AS IT IS (6)

[Highlighting Jesus' changes on the Laws of Moses]

Flashback
Welcome to the sixth and final edition of this study. This series deals with the doctrinal changes Jesus introduced with the intentions to replace the order of the Old Testament laws given through Moses, as documented in Matthew 5:21-48.

We have discussed on the other five doctrinal changes regarding the issue of the tongue, sexual immoralities, divorce, swearing, and revenge, each making a serie. The last on this study is –love and reciprocation.

[As It Was]
"You have heard that it had been said, 'Thou shall love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy."

[But I Say Unto You]
"Love your enemies; bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you; and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you. That you may be the children of your father which is in heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:43-45)

Love Your Enemies
Ha! It's hard to read this verse a second time and a third time. In a way, it sounds absurd to imagine it. Love your enemies? Love your haters? Oh yes!

That's what Jesus said. And that's what He did too! We are followers of Jesus. So we are enjoined to do the same. (See 1Peter 2:21)

It may be difficult to handle his in the flesh, because our human nature demands revenge. That is why salvation changes our nature to that of Christ. (See Eph. 2:3 and Gal. 4:19

Love your enemies. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for those who abuse your simplicity or mistreat you. You may avoid them the best you can, but in your heart and closet, seek their good. It may not sound nice or reasonable. But that's the kingdom way.

That's the word! That's the kingdom way!

Ever since I studied this scripture about two years ago, I have endeavoured to comply, and I testify that it is rewarding. God supplies His grace. It takes the grace of God to forgive. But when you decide, God's grace oils that decision and gives you peace. Decide today. Love your enemies!

Did The Law Advocate Hating Your Enemies?
Whenever I deal with doctrinal issues in Scriptures, I like consulting relevant commentaries.

This particular case took me to *Luke Wayne's Commentary. Wayne explains that Jesus did not misquote the scripture, as there is no scripture in the old testament that supports hating one's enemies.

Wayne made reverence to Leviticus 19:18, Exodus 23:4-5 and Proverbs 25:22, which seem to be Jesus' inference for this particular teaching. None of them supports hating one's enemies, rather, the reverse.

So, Wayne posit that Jesus made reference to the misinterpretation of the Law by the teachers of his days. So Jesus said "You have 'heard' that you should love your neighbours and hate your enemies, but I say unto you, Love your enemies". I hope that is clearer. (Look up details on the footnote.)

Be Ye Perfect!
Jesus added in verse 46-48 that the Publicans are kind only to those who show them kindness. (The Publicans in the ancient Jewish tradition were those involved in revenue collection, which had within it, a lot of moral irregularities, considered as perversion.)

So Jesus admonished that we should not only reciprocate kindness to kindness received, but also to hate and abuse.

This according to verse 48 is demonstration of the perfect nature of God, because He gives His rain and sun to both 'good' and 'evil' people.

So, be ye perfect. I trust that you've been blessed by this teaching. The benefits of knowledge is in its application. Apply this and enjoy God's reward. God bless you.
Stay safe.
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