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Letter of Apostle Matthew – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 6
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Matthew 5:43-48
The Practice of Divine Love
Jesus Christ expounds upon the administration of divine LOVE. In regards to LOVING one’s ENEMY He said,
Ye have heard that it hath been said thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, love your enemies…
[Mt 5:43, 44a]
*love Gk #25 agapao (ag-ap-ah-o) it means to love in a social and moral sense as a matter of principle, duty and propriety and to do so chiefly of the head, which is the seat of intellect, rather than the heart, which is the seat of sentiment <see Gk #5368 Strong’s Concordance>
In other words, one is to do so because they KNOW it is right to do regardless of how they FEEL.
• social means…
o pertaining or devoted to and characterized by friendly relations
o seeking and enjoying the companionship of others
o living or disposed to live in companionship with others in a community, rather than in isolation
o of or pertaining to the life, welfare and relations of human beings within a community
• moral means…
o of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct and the distinction between right and wrong
o founded on the fundamental principles of right conduct rather than on legalities, enactment and custom
o capable of conforming to the rules of right conduct
*neighbor Gk #4139 plesion (play-see-on) it means close by, fellow man, countryman, friend or Christian
*hate Gk #3404 miseo (mis-eh-o) it means to detest, persecute and love less
*enemy Gk #2190 echthros (ekh-thros) it is an adversary, foe and one who is odious, full of hate and actively hostile, especially Lucifer
Per these definitions, the idea of expressing LOVE toward one’s NEIGHBOR is clear. However, the greater challenge is expressing LOVE, not HATE, towards a genuine ENEMY. This can only be accomplished through the strength of Christ. [Jn 15:5; II Cor 12:9] Sons of GOD must always remember that their HEAVENLY FATHER is LOVE and humanity is the primary object of HIS AFFECTION. [I Jn 4:8, 13, 16; Jn 3:16, 17] AGAPAO LOVE is not based on FEELING but doing what one knows is right. [I Jn 3:18] Practicing AGAPAO LOVE empowers the Elect to address all people appropriately, even their ENEMIES, as Christ did His, namely Judas Iscariot. [Mt 26:50] Per divine law, everyone reaps what they sow. [Gal 6:7; Rm 12:17-21; 13:8, 10] Only in Christ is one genuinely able to BLESS those who CURSE them. He said,
…bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
[Mt 5:44]
*bless Gk #2127 eulogeo (yoo-log-eh-o) it means to speak well of, religiously bless, thank or invoke a benediction upon
*curse Gk #2672 kataraomai (kat-ar-ah-om-ahee) it means to execrate and doom
• execrate is to…
o utterly detest, abhor and abominate
o imprecate evil upon, damn and denounce
• doom is to…
o destine, especially to an adverse fate
o pronounce judgment against and condemn
*good Gk #2573 kalos (kal-oce) it means well which is…
• in a good, satisfactory, moral and proper manner
• thoroughly, carefully, soundly, commendably and excellently
• with propriety, justice and reason
• adequately, sufficiently and with good nature
• a considerable extent or degree and with great or intimate knowledge
• certainly and without doubt
*pray Gk #4336 proseuchomai (pros-yoo-khom-ahee) it means to supplicate and worship to Yahweh
When the Elect PRAY for those who DESPITEFULLY USE and PERSECUTE them, they must do so in AGAPAO LOVE, meaning for and not against them. This likely means that Yahweh will not honor the prayer of one who is seeking the damnation of another. THE LORD only recognizes PRAYER that is compliant to HIS will. [I Jn 5:14, 15]
*despitefully use Gk #1908 epereazo (ep-ay-reh-ad-zo) it means to insult and slander
• insult is to…
o treat or speak to insolently or with contemptuous rudeness
o offend, demean, attack or assault
• slander is to defame, circulate or utter slander, which is a malicious, false and defamatory statement or report
*persecute Gk #1377 dioko (dee-o-ko) it means to pursue and persecute
• pursue is to…
o follow in order to overtake, capture and kill
o continue to annoy, afflict and trouble
• persecute is to persistently annoy, trouble, harass or oppress, especially because of one’s religion, race or beliefs
Because they are spiritual born-again of HIS Word and Spirit, Yahweh expects HIS sons to be, act and re-act extraordinarily in all circumstances of their life. THE LORD expects them to become spiritually PERFECT in LOVE, especially towards their ENEMIES. The Lord Jesus said,
Be ye therefore PERFECT, even as your FATHER which is in heaven is PERFECT.
[Mt 5:48]
*perfect Gk #5046 teleios (tel-i-os) it means full of age, completeness and complete in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character
Although challenging to perceive under persecution, some mortal ENEMIES are predestined to become sons of GOD. [Rm 8:29, 30] They’ve but to experience their personal encounter with Christ, as did Apostle Paul and all born-again believers. [Acts 9] It is Apostle Paul who writes that Christ died for all while they were yet without divine strength. [Rm 5:6; II Tim 2:28] Therefore, it is right to LOVE these candidates of victory until their spiritual awakening. Having this in mind, THE LORD wants HIS children to be cognizant of those who refuse to be reconciled to HIM through Christ. This truth is equally as important as striving to practice divine LOVE. Apostle Mark writes,
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all?
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The LORD our GOD is ONE LORD:
And thou shall love the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the First commandment.
And the Second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
And the scribe said unto Him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one GOD; and there is none other but HE:
And to love HIM with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of GOD. And no man after that durst ask Him any question.
[Mk 12:29-34]
All souls belong to THE LORD including those who oppose HIM. [Isa 54:16; Eze 18:4] Thus, when it seems impossible to LOVE a mortal ENEMY, one only has to draw from the strength of Christ to fulfill this chief commandment.
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