Lesson 752

(Lesson 752)(09-10-13) Today's lesson is taken from the last ten verses of Matthew 5 and relates to us the manner by which a truly Christian person should conduct their lives;

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt 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 which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

These few verses stood as the core principles of the Law of Moses and, aside from the plan of salvation, these few verses establish the core principles of Christianity.

Christians are supposed to be a called out, seperate, and special people. Quick to the rescue, always willing to give, or do, whatever it takes to make someone else's life better.

It should be easy to identify a member of Christ's Church by the way they conduct themselves toward others on a day to day basis. Sadly however, it is now rare to see someone step out and go the extra mile.Too many live their lives in a judgmental, "do as I say not as I do" attitude, overcome by selfishness and greed, just as the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus' day.

We should take these lessons carefully to heart and make ourselves into representatives of the purpose of Jesus Christ by first considering others no matter what our relationship with them might be.~