Wednesday, 26 August 2020

In the eye of the storm

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"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

In Matthew 5:43-48 Yeshua speaks to the crowd about how to be perfect in Him as He is perfect. In this teaching we find what appears to be opposite from what is written in Exodus 21:23-24.

We live in a world of rules and regulations where men build for their own comfort. Unless a man knows God's character, he will continually try to control his situation for his own benefit and at the expense of others if he deems it necessary.

The systems of this world can be likened to that of Nimrod's time and his territory in Babylon where the enemy succeeded in corrupting mankind through immorality, revenge (eye for an eye) and greed. Nimrod ruled over Babylon and built many cities during a period when people were farmers who worked the land. They found themselves within a civilization where cities were built not for the glory of God but for the advancement of mankind only, which leads to corruption.

So how do we as believers live in a world where many are of a self-serving mindset, with a heart turned far from God? What is our role as a follower of Yeshua living within a society filled with pain and corruption?

We are called to love our enemies and to pray for them and its not always easy. Our flesh, mind and soul are weak, and our character is drawn to the treasures of this world. Yeshua teaches us to renew our mind and that is why He responded as He did in Matthew 22:34-40 when asked by the Pharisees "which is the great commandment in the law?"

His answer was that first, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." So, we see here that in order to overcome body, mind and spirit, I must choose to allow Yeshua to conquer and occupy those areas of my being.

This leads to the second command which is, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The actual word in Hebrew translated neighbor has a fuller meaning. It includes all those who are around and in our lives. It can mean whomever we come in contact with.

So what is love? In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 I see that when the love of God dwells inside of me, overcoming my mind, soul and spirit with His Spirit, none of the treasures of this world can occupy my heart. You may ask yourself, how is it possible to maintain and persevere with this mindset? Remember that you are joined to the One who created this world and He will take you further than your own abilities. He wants to dwell in you and for you to be His reflection here on earth.

I want to take this opportunity to say to our friends and partners from the United States that our hearts are with you during this time of conflict. I encourage you not to look at what is happening around you with your physical eyes but to turn your eyes and your heart to Yeshua and He will carry you and your loved ones through the storm.

This is taken from the Harvest of Asher Facebook page.