it is simple*

Our Sunday School teacher just this past Sunday went over the simplicity of the gospel. In fact, it is usually the intellectuals that have a problem with the gospel. They want to understand it. Some times to our carnal thinking it doesn't make sense. We understand loving our neighbors, at least the good neighbors. But Jesus takes it farther, loving your enemies. When we think of the religion of Islam, what is sometimes called the religion of peace? It is not. their book tells them to kill the infidel, those that do not believe like them. They will be rewarded for doing so. Contrast that to a simple gospel that tells us to love even our enemies. To love even those that would do us harm. We are to love everyone. There are no dividing lines to figure out who to love and who to not love. It is simple, to love everyone. Love even those who disagree with us. Love our enemies.
Matthew 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;"
Tell me which sounds more like the religion of peace? Wouldn't loving your enemies be more peaceful than Jihad?  It is simple, it is either, or: Romans 8:5 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit." It is our choice, to follow God or to follow the flesh. To follow the things of God (spirit) or the things of this world (flesh). It is our choice.  But that doesn't make it unpeaceful. In the verse above from Matthew, we are to love even our enemies, even those that choose to walk after the flesh. I am not saying they are our enemies if they choose differently. I am just saying the word of God tells us to love everyone. There is no dividing line, no diving line for race, political standing, economic standing, educational standing. There is no dividing line. One of the core values of a Christian is to be forgiving. that is hard at times, but it fits with even loving your enemies. It is simple, there are no dividing lines. It is in us to try and figure things out, it is our intellectualism that makes the dividing lines. It is we, our own selves that choose to divide along with race or ethnic group. we worship many times with ethnic groups. Black Churches, Korean Churches, Hispanic Churches, Scandinavian Churches.  We don't have to follow ethnic thought, sometimes it is contrary to God's wishes. Are these people that are protesting in Ferguson, following the spirit or the flesh? Are they promoting peace or hatred? Is this what God wants? All lives matter to God. Not just Black, or White, Yellow, Red, or Olive skin. The life of the Police officer matters too. It is just that simple, is what we are doing after the flesh or after the spirit? Does it honor God or does it dishonor God? It is one way or the other, no in-between. It is that simple. God bless, LVZ.