Who Are We?

Read Matthew 5 and then consider these thoughts as a basis for your time in reflection in the chapter.
The theme I see in this chapter is the question of who we are to be as followers of Jesus.
 

We cannot know with certainty why persecution comes. It may be because of Jesus, or it may be our own doing. (We may just not be a nice person.) Therefore, we cannot presume to know the motives of our persecutors or presume that we shall be blessed every time we feel persecuted. Yet, if the LORD determines that our persecution is on His account, then we can be sure that blessing will follow.

We are salt and light in the world, but we must choose not to hinder our impact or hide our light. We must "let" it shine. Jesus implies that it would be foolish to light a lamp and then hide it. Yet, that is what so many of us try to do. We want salvation, but we still want to fit comfortably in the darkness around us. We cannot have both.

Regarding God's law, we are either breakers or keepers. In either case, we are teachers by our example. This breaking or keeping begins in our heart, possibly the most unreliable place for it to begin except Jesus live there. Therefore, we must be aware to live holy lives reflecting the image of God both for our own blessing and to prevent others from stumbling on our account.

Praying for ones persecutors is something God does. Jesus did it from the cross, but to know that God the Father was His example is amazing. God provides love and grace for all. We were all His enemies. Yet, He died for us. He is only asking us to do what He Himself did for us.

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