ANOTHER DIMENSION OF LOVE

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Text : Mat 5:44

 *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;* 

The demands of love in the new testament is far greater than what Moses commanded in the old. 

What Moses commanded appealed conveniently to common sense but falls short of God's desires. 

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.Mat 5:43 KJV .

It is only natural to love those who love you and hates those who hate you. But if you are in Christ, you are no more a natural being but a supernatural being or a spiritual man. Hence, you are being governed by another law, a higher law. You no longer walk after the dictates of the flesh(the natural laws) but you are now under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8:1.

This law of the Spirit gives us four dimensional angles of love as postulated by Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 5:44.

1. *Love your enemies :* This is a tall order. In fact, some people find it hard to simply reciprocate love.That is, showing love to those who love them. It's like they are just wired to do evil. But Jesus expects you not just to love the Loveables, but to love your enemies too. If it were not possible, He wouldn't have asked us to do it. 

 *LOVE YOUR ENEMIES* . 

2. *Bless them that curse you:* The power within you does not give room for curses at all. Roman's 12:14 categorically says that bless, and do not curse. 

I have sometimes experienced how painful it could be when the Spirit of God is refraining one from cursing some individuals that rightfully deserves such. But when you receive the Grace to give blessings instead of curses, He will truly fill your heart with joy unspeakable. Stephen was a good example in this, Acts 7:60.

 *BLESS AND NEVER CURSE.* 

3. *Do good to them that hate you.* if you know of anyone who openly declares himself as your hater or enemy, you are instructed by Jesus to go out of your way and intentionally do good to such fellow(s).

 *DO GOOD ALWAYS.* 

4. *Pray for your Persecutors* This is the fourth dimension of love demands. Pray for your persecutors, pray for those who despitefully use you. 

 *PRAY FOR YOUR PERSECUTORS.*

 *PRAYER FOCUS* 

1. Ask the Lord for grace to love your enemies, to bless and never curse, to do good always even to your enemies and to pray for your persecutors. 


Bible Reading: 1John 4:7-12, matt. 5:43-48.

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