The Word Unleashed - Radio

The Bible teaches that every Christian will have to make decisions about issues and topics that the Bible either doesn't mention at all or that, if it does, are not entirely definitive. In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul emphasizes that such liberties or issues of conscience must not be divisive or detrimental.

So far in this series, we’ve considered the fact that we, as Christians, should expect legitimate differences on issues of conscience. This was true of the apostle Paul and the church in Rome in the first century—that is why he wrote this portion of Romans. But the Holy Spirit not only intended to help that church but also used the same principles to help Christians and churches today.

Every Christian is faced with making decisions about issues and topics that the Bible either doesn't mention at all or that, if it does, are not entirely definitive. The challenge for Christians is to exercise their liberties in such a way that glorifies God and is in the best interest of other brothers and sisters in Christ.

God has not left us in the dark about how to make decisions regarding Christian liberties. He has provided us with two resources to guide us as we make decisions about such matters: our conscience and His eternal Word.

The book of Psalms not only reveals the character of God, but it also provides God’s people with a manual for how to worship Him in ways that are acceptable to Him. In Psalm 92, the psalmist writes about the steadfast love of God and the fact that He continues to be faithful to His character and His people.

Psalm 92, which celebrates the greatness of God's work, specifically His sovereign rule of the moral universe, a rule that manifests itself in both the destruction of the wicked and the prosperity and final triumph of the righteous. This psalm also describes how it is good for the people of God to give thanks and to sing praises to the Lord.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that all His true subjects, His true disciples, will demonstrate a genuine love for their friends as well as a genuine love for their enemies. For us as Christians, we must examine our own hearts and ask ourselves, “Do I truly love my enemies?” You see, being a Christian is more than a mere profession; it is a way of life.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sought to correct some of the bad teaching and theology of the Pharisees. In particular, they had distorted the Old Testament teaching on loving your enemies, so Jesus corrects them and offers His disciples the right interpretation and understanding.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls all believers to love one another, including those who would be considered enemies. Since God is characterized by self-giving affection for all of humanity that He created in His image, we too should imitate His love. God Himself has concern for their welfare and well-being, so we as Christians should be marked by the way we love others

In Scripture, there are several commands to love someone, but in the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord chooses the most difficult of all—love your enemies. And He commands us to must pray for them, bless them, and even do good to them. As professing Christians, we must obey Christ in all areas of our lives, including loving our enemies.