Living Room Study

Matthew 5

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may show yourselves to be sons of your father in heaven.  For He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?”  Matthew 5:43-46

Gospel singer C.C Winans used to wake up before everyone else on her tour bus. She would be studying her bible in the front lounge when her tour band members woke up. As soon as they reached for the coffee pot, she would say, “The Lord woke you up today, and He didn’t have to.”

God has been gracious to me. For 20 years, I chose to ignore the gospel. I chose the world’s way. Quite honestly, the world seemed more fun! Nothing about the gospel seemed more attractive than the world. I used to laugh at Christians for so blindly believing in something I felt scientists could easily explain away.

I was pretty much done with church, but there was that nagging feeling deep inside that kept drawing me back. I felt empty in my worldly pursuits, and I began to wonder if the Lord was right after all. God never stopped calling out to me.

Why did God love me, even though I continued to choose the world over Him? He sent messenger after messenger, to share the gospel with me. Finally, one of those messengers connected.

What I connected with was the love of Christ…not just the “songs”, or the “preaching” of Jesus. I met someone who acted as if they knew the Messiah personally. That made them different from all the others I had met, who claimed to be Christians. I wanted that relationship for myself.

Alone in my college dorm room, I prayed and asked God for forgiveness. I surrendered control of my life to Jesus. In that moment, my life was changed for all eternity.

“It was while we were yet sinners that Messiah died for us.”  Romans 5:8

It’s amazing that God loved us so much that He woke us up all those mornings, calling us to choose Him…while were His enemies.

Why do you think He woke us up today? Perhaps, He wants us to read His Word, so we can share His love with others.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins