True Children of God
Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT) “You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Introduction: Thank God for bringing us to another week to learn at His feet as Scriptures speak to us by the Holy Spirit. The Power in the Word will make us to finish strong in Jesus name.
We are studying one of the sermon on the Mount taught by Jesus Christ showing what should be the attitudes of disciples of Christ. The sermon on the Mount is meant only for the disciples and not the crowd.
One of the indices in recognising a true child of God is our attitudes toward perceived enemies or haters.
Speaking to disciples, Jesus Christ said from our text; But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Some claim to be Christians and what proceeds from their mouth to others is not different from pagans. Among Christians in different ministries, there is hatred due to competition and covetousness.
It is obvious we have in the body of Christ the children of God and children of Devil.
1 John 3:10 (NLT) So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.
How do you know a child of God and also that you are a true child of God?
1️⃣ Faith in Jesus Christ
1 John 5:1(NLT) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
2️⃣ Loving God and Obeying His commandments
1 John 5:2-3 (NLT) We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.
3️⃣ Overcoming worldly desires through Faith
1 John 5:4 (NLT) For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
4️⃣ Desire to live peaceably with all
Matthew 5:9 (NLT) God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
5️⃣ Righteous living with Agape love
1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
6️⃣ Loving and holding tightly to what is good without pretence.
Romans 12:9 (NLT) Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
7️⃣ Taking care of Enemies property and willingness to Help
Exodus 23:4-5 (NLT) “If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help.
8️⃣ Rejoice Not in calamity of enemies.
Proverbs 24:17-18(NLT) Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.
9️⃣ Feed your enemies and repay evil with good.
Romans 12:20-21(NLT) Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man ; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
🔟. Holy Spirit’s witness confirms.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
What will be your reaction if you were Joseph and your brothers who planned your death are now at your mercy?
Scriptures speak about reactions of Joseph;
Genesis 45:15;50:19-20 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Some of us would have rejoiced over the suffering from poverty of our brothers that planned evil against us. This will displease God and leave us to fight our battles alone.
Proverbs 24:17-18(NLT) Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.
Will you want to pray for someone who speaks evil of you?
Moses prayed for Miriam his sister when she became leprous for badmouthing Moses.
Number 12:13 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.
Conclusion: The difference between Christians and others in the world is the Agape Love that Believers exhibit in all situations to obey God’s commandments.
John 13:34-35 (NLT) So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Let our attitude towards brethren and others depict Love which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that guarantees eternal life with Christ.
✋ Maranatha.
