The sunshine and the rain

 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Mt 5:43-45, NASB95)

We are to be like our Father in heaven.  We are to love our enemies just as He loves the unrighteous.  But how do we know He loves with this kind of love?  He has demonstrated His kindness and grace in the world He has created for us. 

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. (Ps 19:1-3, NASB95)

Creation itself speaks to us of the glory of God.  His divine nature is seen in all that He has made.

 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Ro 1:20, NASB95)

 Even those who do not know Him as Savior can clearly see the essential attributes in the beauty and balance of the world He has designed.  But back to the Sermon on the Mount.  In Mt 5 Jesus is exhorting His followers to imitate their Father in Heaven, particularly in the way they love, and especially their enemies.  We probably know these words, even if we fail to do them.  But let us not overlook one beautiful aspect of Mt 5:45. “He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” What a marvelous picture of His grace.  Theologians often call this “Common Grace”.

 In everyday terms, “Common Grace” includes all the good and wonderful things God provides for His creation short of actual salvation.  This means that God’s kindness and generosity is extended generally to human beings no matter their specific spiritual condition.  The vilest person who ever lived was still able to enjoy the simple things that God had created for their basic livelihood.  God the Father does not only send the sunshine and the rain on those that deserve it.  If that were true, we would live in a barren land of perpetual darkness- because none are deserving.

 “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” (Ro 3:10-12, NASB95)

 So, if we live in a world that was established by a loving, kind, and merciful creator, how should we then live?  If God loves the undeserving, we must also.

 Probably most of us can easily think of someone in our life that seems undeserving of love and forgiveness.  Think again.  Could your sin sick heart be categorizing them as such?  Does God consider them undeserving?  If not, why should you?

 “Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” (Mt 5:23-24, NASB95)

 Once again, The Sermon on the Mount speaks loud and clear.  Reconciliation with our brother or sister is paramount.  Even our personal worship is secondary to this mandate of love and forgiveness.  Is there someone you must reconcile with?  Do not waste a moment.  Reach out to them with unconditional love.  Be like your Father in Heaven. Think of the sunshine and the rain.