Two of the commands of Jesus that I felt were especially relevant were Matthew 5:37 and Matthew 5:44.
Matthew 5:37 says, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No' be 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
This verse is incredibly hard for me, because I can be talked into changing my mind about almost anything. And I am sure I am not the only one. It is so easy in this day and age to change your mind. Christ calls us to be sure of our answers. When I was in driving school, my instructor would always get upset with me for doing a double take to the right, before I turned left. He would tell me, to only look once and be sure of my left turn, because when I was looking right, I was not seeing what was happening in the direction of my turn. I just need to answer once and know that it is a final decision.
Matthew 5:44 says, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
This verse is more relevant than any to me, and speaks to my every day life. I have many people who have hurt me. I do not use the word enemy. Most of our society has forgotten that word. Christ is telling us to LOVE people we do not like. People we do not get a long with. People who have hurt us in the past. People who have turned their backs on us. People who we have cried over. We are commanded to love them. Wow. I do not know about you reader, but I am terrible above terrible at this command. I can not get over my hurt and selfish desires to even pray for those who have truly hurt me and let me down.
In Dallas Williard's book, "The Spirit of the Disciplines", he discusses the purpose of a true disciple - to "go with [Jesus] in an attitude of study, obedience, and imitation." I can not say then, by that definition, that I am a very good disciple. I can not even obey His command to love my enemies or make up my mind. He says the cost of not following Christ - the cost of not obeying His commands - is not obtaining the "abundant life; life to the full" Jesus promises to all of His disciples in John 10:10.
Obedience. That one is Tough. But not taking the abundant life Jesus wants to give me is even more tough.
Matthew 5:37 says, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No' be 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
This verse is incredibly hard for me, because I can be talked into changing my mind about almost anything. And I am sure I am not the only one. It is so easy in this day and age to change your mind. Christ calls us to be sure of our answers. When I was in driving school, my instructor would always get upset with me for doing a double take to the right, before I turned left. He would tell me, to only look once and be sure of my left turn, because when I was looking right, I was not seeing what was happening in the direction of my turn. I just need to answer once and know that it is a final decision.
Matthew 5:44 says, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
This verse is more relevant than any to me, and speaks to my every day life. I have many people who have hurt me. I do not use the word enemy. Most of our society has forgotten that word. Christ is telling us to LOVE people we do not like. People we do not get a long with. People who have hurt us in the past. People who have turned their backs on us. People who we have cried over. We are commanded to love them. Wow. I do not know about you reader, but I am terrible above terrible at this command. I can not get over my hurt and selfish desires to even pray for those who have truly hurt me and let me down.
In Dallas Williard's book, "The Spirit of the Disciplines", he discusses the purpose of a true disciple - to "go with [Jesus] in an attitude of study, obedience, and imitation." I can not say then, by that definition, that I am a very good disciple. I can not even obey His command to love my enemies or make up my mind. He says the cost of not following Christ - the cost of not obeying His commands - is not obtaining the "abundant life; life to the full" Jesus promises to all of His disciples in John 10:10.
Obedience. That one is Tough. But not taking the abundant life Jesus wants to give me is even more tough.
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