“Counter-Culture Lifestyle”

Have you ever wanted to get rid of your enemies and stop those who are persecuting you? Jesus tells us how in His famous sermon on the Mount.

“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 righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

These were radical ideas 2000 years ago. They’re even more radical today.

Jesus has not called us to adopt the values of our corrupt and fallen culture. Being a follower of Jesus involves living a counter-culture lifestyle. As we live like followers of Jesus others will see that we are different.

With the Lord’s help we can work to transform our culture of hate and revenge into a culture of love and forgiveness. With the Lord’s help we can love our enemies and pray for them. With the Lord’s help our enemies will embrace Jesus as their Lord and Savior and follow Him.

When this happens, our former enemies will become our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is how God stops the persecution of His people: by transforming the persecutors into His followers.

In Christ,

Pastor David