SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Luke 6:27-49
1 John 3:14-19

“… and shutteth up his
bowels of compassion from him,
how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

EXHORTATIONS AND WARNINGS

Jesus exhorts us to love our enemies and to do good to them, even those who hate us! What a command! This is only possible to those who have experienced the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit who indwells believers of Jesus. Naturally, it is difficult to bless those who curse us, it is hard to offer the other cheek when we are hurt, and it is so tough to offer our coat also to those who have taken our garments.

Jesus also exhorts us not to love only those who love us and do good only to those who do good to us. He encourages us to lend without expecting any repayment. He exhorts us not to judge others and to be forgiving as God has forgiven us of all our sins. He demands from Christians to be givers and dispensers of the many blessings they have received from Him. “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:17).

On the other hand, Jesus warns against blind leaders. They are hypocrites who desire to lead, but the end of their ways are destruction. These leaders do not walk their talk. Jesus also warns of the corrupt doctrines of these false teachers. Poisoned food destroys the physical body, so with erroneous teachings, these bring corruption and even eternal damnation to souls. We must be vigilant to keep away from them (1 Cor 15:33). The antidote is to be thoroughly grounded in the pure, uncontaminated and perfect Word of God.

Jesus again exhorts through a parable of the only way we can be delivered from blind, hypocritical leaders and their toxic teachings. Believers must truly be founded upon the Rock, the Lord Himself. Christians must not be like a house whose foundation is sand, so weak that it cannot withstand any calamity.

THOUGHT: Am I receptive to God’s exhortations and warnings?
PRAYER: Father, help me to love others and keep myself from the seductions of this world.