“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the…
“Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 97:10 The expression “hate evil” … to hate means to reject; to love means to choose. Since both are an expression of the will and not merely an…
“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Proverbs 21:21 The pursuit of righteousness is its own reward. But “life, prosperity, and honor” are probably three ideas that when combined were intended to mean “a more abundant life.” These added rewards of fullness of life, achieving prosperity, and receiving honor should be considered…
“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:4-5 “Word of the Lord” is His infallible and inerrant revelation provided to all people in either written form (the Bible) or the…
“I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the…
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 59:16 David sings with joyful abandon of his relationship with God, despite the presence of wicked persons. There are two verbs translated “I will sing”; together they…
“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him…” 1 Corinthians 2:9 The “what” are the miraculous acts of salvation in the Old Testament, which are now surpassed by the mystery and…
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5 These verses start with a command for the people to respond properly to God. They must listen and obey. These verses, known as…
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Psalm 86:5 “Forgiving and good” is a common word pair in the Psalms, epitomizing the Lord’s care for His people. “Call” means “to call upon,” “name,” or “summon.” “Call on God’s name” describes speaking God’s name in prayer or repentance….
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 These are qualities of Christ Himself, which He works in believers for the sake of the Church’s unity. These attitudes do not come naturally. They must be cultivated by the determination to place others above ourselves. Only the Spirit can…