GPS Guide – August 6, 2019

DISAGREEMENT

Tuesday

Read: Matthew 5:43-48

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ 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 righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (NIV Matthew 5:43-48)

Study: What’s your gut response to Jesus’ matter-of-fact statement that God “makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous”? Are you ever tempted to feel that because you are “right,” you should receive better treatment from God (or other people) than those who are “wrong”? Do you feel an inner tug to only try to bless other people you like, or see as “worthy”? How can you become more like God in your willingness to bless anyone who needs it?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me tame my tongue, and the inner fears and insecurities that so often set it off. Help me to respond to your grace by living ever more graciously. Amen.