… (48) Therefore, be completely perfect in love, just as your Father in heaven is completely perfect in love. … love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you, and persecute you. (42) Give to him that asks you, and don’t turn away the person that wants to borrow from you. (41) And whoever compels you to go a mile, go with him two. (40) And if anyone wants to take you to court to get your shirt, let him have your coat as well. (Matthew 5:39–48 DKJV) But I say to you, do not take a stand against anyone who does you evil instead, whoever hits you on your right cheek, turn to him the other as well. In other words, “Watch your step if you want to survive.” This is where we need-absolutely and critically must have-a deep and profound working knowledge of Jesus’s survival instructions: “Shrewd” implies being wise, intelligent, thoughtful, prudent, and mindful of one’s own interests. (Matthew 10:16 NIV) “Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”Īpart from the general instructions of abiding in the secret place, living by faith, loving enemies, etc., this is the specific instruction Jesus gives for surviving as vulnerable lambs sent into a wolf pack. (Matthew 10:16 NLT) “So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” The second half of his instruction clarifies this: This is the way he guarantees our protection from unnecessary harm. Jesus is always with us and his invisible protection will be over us if we “dwell”-abide, live permanently, remain, and live with him-in the secret place of intimacy, submission, and loving worship. (Psalm 91:1 NKJV) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Matthew 28:20 NLT) “… And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” But yes he is with you always, and he provides invisible protection for you: Yet, this is exactly the picture Jesus uses to describe the setting into which he is sending us … you! Yes, you are in danger. I can’t imagine a more innocent image than a lamb, a more treacherous predator than a wolf, and a more lethal scenario than purposely putting a lamb among wolves. ![]() (Luke 10:3 NLT) “Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.” What Jesus says as he sends them in his name is so very real: Suddenly, the same new creations that are struggling to renew their minds to the realities of God’s amazing love, have to contend with Satan’s anger and the world’s hostility at them. (2 Corinthians 5:18–19 NKJV) Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, (19) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Like tender shoots and vulnerable lambs, they now take his message of love and reconciliation on a rescue mission into a very hostile environment: (John 20:21 NKJV) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”īecause his mission is critical and urgent, Jesus has to send his newly recreated delegates back into the world from which he rescued them. He saves them, giving them a new birth with God’s nature-making them suitable to live in his kingdom of love, acceptance, encouragement, and nurture, eternally. Jesus chooses and calls followers-apprentices whom he can disciple into his ways. (Matthew 11:12 DKJV) From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven forcefully advances, and the forceful try to seize it back by force. ![]() 4:4)-a pretender king with a usurped kingdom: But he encountered stiff opposition here because Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor. ![]() Jesus has an urgent mission on this earth God sent him to reconcile lost humanity. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 NKJV) “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |