Peace-Pursuers - Santosh Poonen - February 16, 2014
http://rlcfchurch.org/peace-pursuers River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central mark of true Christianity is demonstrated by loving one's enemies and praying for those who persecute us. This goes beyond merely loving friends or those within one's own group, distinguishing true followers of God from others. The speaker emphasizes that this radical love is the defining characteristic that proves one is a son of the Father in heaven.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
In order that you may show yourselves to be sons of your FatherJesus explains that loving our enemies is the specific mark that proves we are children of our Father in heaven, contrasting with the worldly practice of only loving friends.Matthew 5:45
The two spiritual familiesThere are only two spiritual families in the world: the children of the devil whose nature is like Adam, and the small family of God whose children love their enemies.
Loving those who see things differently from usEnemies often manifest as people in our homes, churches, or workplaces who hold different perspectives, giving us the test of which family we belong to.
God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the goodOur Heavenly Father gives His sun and rain to both the righteous and the unrighteous, challenging us to reflect that same impartial love instead of withholding kindness.
Therefore you are to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfectJesus sets the standard of being perfect in mercy and impartiality, aiming toward complete transformation by the time we meet Him face-to-face.
Do all things without grumbling or fightingPaul instructs believers in Philippians to do everything without strife or complaining so they can prove themselves blameless children of God in a perverse generation.
As far as it depends on you, be at peace with all menRomans 12 commands us to do our part in building bridges of reconciliation, leaving no room for excuses about waiting for the other person to act first.Romans 12:18
Pursue the things which make for peacePaul encourages us to pursue peace and mutual building up rather than using our words to put others down or make them feel small.Romans 14:19
Do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evilUsing food and dietary rules as examples in Romans 14, Paul warns against letting personal convictions or debatable opinions become causes of division and stumbling for others.
The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joyThe kingdom of God is not about winning theological arguments or earthly practices, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Pursue peace with all men and the sanctification without which no one will see the LordHebrews 12 urges us to work at getting along with each other and God, warning that without this pursuit and sanctification we will not see the Lord.Hebrews 12:14
See to it that no root of bitterness springs upA small seed of suspicion or misunderstanding can grow into a root of bitterness that defiles many people if we are not vigilant in pursuing peace.
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feetGod will soon crush Satan under the feet of His peace-pursuing sons and daughters who refuse to let the devil gain a foothold in their homes or churches.Romans 16:20
Divine peace through the cross and the Holy SpiritTrue peace cannot be artificially manufactured through patches; it requires the cross where self dies and the fire of the Holy Spirit fills us to pursue peace with all.
