If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don’t know God are nice to their friends. Matthew 5:46-47 (NCV)
I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase).
This morning, I start the story of "Paul: Never Too Far Gone for a Turnaround*".
*Title of lesson ten from the Max Lucado study.
Max Lucado's commentary* for day one of my study focuses on Ananias, to whom God spoke to attend to Saul after the Lord spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus (and blinded him). Lucado compares how God used Ananias much like God used Jonah - Jonah was given a mission to preach to Nineveh and Jonah did not believe the city deserved mercy so he ran from his mission. While we don't know much about Ananias' state of mind after the Lord gives Ananias the message to attend to Saul, we do know that there was hesitation on Ananias' part (Acts 9:13-14). Unlike Jonah, ultimately, it appears that Ananias went to Saul as the Lord directed him, and with what appears to be little to no further resistance. Despite the differences between Ananias and Jonah, a key takeaway remains that God often calls us to missions that are not just tough but undesirable, perhaps missions where we disagree on some level, including loving those we feel are undeserving of love. Yet Lucado wants us to understand that we don't get to make that call - God does - and God wants us to love everyone, including those we don't think are deserving of it.
Lucado uses Matthew 5:46-47 (NCV) to emphasize this key message.
Comment and discuss this post here.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God as You are so full of love, mercy, and compassion for me - even though I am quite clear I am undeserving. Thank You Jesus! Yet again, I know I am undeserving. My attitude at work is far from ideal - I grumble and complain, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
