Jesus teaches a harsh fact, a standard of measure He gives us. It is a tough thing to grasp and to apply in our lives especially in days like today in the USA of 2021. Jesus said …
"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Mat 5:43-45)
So, good things happen to the righteous and the unrighteous. They both experience bad things as well. There is no difference between Godly Christians and the ungodly, the ones who are anti-God or anti-Christ. On top of that we are to love our enemies. No where in the entire Bible do we read such a statement except here. Jesus does not negate the Torah, God’s instruction in the books of Moses. He does not negate the law in Lev. 19:18 that says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” but He adds to it. Jesus is saying our neighbor is our enemy, one who persecutes us and may even be out to do us harm and even kill us. It is Jesus’ requirement of us if we are to be true Christians, real disciples.
This is harsh. It is tough reality. We live in a fallen world and Jesus’ does not mince words. To be a disciple and take on His “standard of measure” is not easy; it is a matter of life and death.
But THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. There is an amazing reality that separates the Godly person from the ungodly, the righteous person following the Good Shepherd from the unrighteous person who follows the false shepherd. What is that difference? We see it in one verse in Hebrew in Psalm 4:3 and in the historical context of Jesus’ day. How might a disciple of Jesus understand Psalm 4:3? I suggest to you we need to grasp what they may have understood. It truly makes all the difference.
I mentioned in this lesson to consider listening to a podcast I did entitled, “For Such a Time as This.” It is a study on Phil. 4:6-7 …
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:6-7)
Listening to this podcast (in four parts) will add so much more to this lesson. If you click on the link below it will take you to the series, “For Such a Time as This.” They are in reverse order – session 4 is first and you need to “slide down” to access session 1 and begin the study.
LINK - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=for+such+a+time
To complete your study even more, I also suggest you listen to the podcast series on the Lord’s Prayer. It is so related to Psalm 4:3 and the concepts in this verse and the concept of being a true disciple of Rabbi Yeshua, our Lord, our Savior, our God, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. See the link below to access the sessions on the Lord’s prayer. Once again they are in reverse order.
LINK - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=the+lord%27s+prayer
Other Truth Nuggets on the Psalms ...
Nuggets 10 - Psalm 1 - I Am and Acacia Tree - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-10-psalm-1-a-beatitude-of-the-acacia-tree/
Nuggets 2 - Psalm 23 and 91 - God's Hidden Tents - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-2/
Nuggets 1 - Psalm 118:24 - This is the Day - But It Isn't Today - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-1/
Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
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