{"id":1937,"date":"2015-12-14T15:23:02","date_gmt":"2015-12-14T20:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/realbiblestudy.com\/?p=1937"},"modified":"2015-12-14T15:23:02","modified_gmt":"2015-12-14T20:23:02","slug":"daily-bible-nugget-387-matthew-544","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/?p=1937","title":{"rendered":"Daily Bible Nugget #387, Matthew 5:44"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/fb:like>

The Nugget:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mat 5:43<\/b><\/span> Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. <\/span><\/dir>Mat 5:44<\/span> But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; <\/span><\/p>\n

Mat 5:45<\/span><\/span> That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

My Comment:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Matthew 5:44 is a central passage in the Gospel record that testifies to the Character of\u00a0Christ. No person, before or since, can lay claim for himself or herself to a character like Christ. Everyone, before or since, falls far short.\u00a0 Jesus Christ is utterly unique. He is unsurpassed. He is unsuperseded.<\/p>\n

If we read the New Testament with our eyes open we get a glimpse of the Character of Christ. If you read with a set of questions in mind, you will perhaps be equipped to see more than you would otherwise.<\/p>\n

Just a few questions basic to any study of character in literature\u00a0that may prove helpful are:\u00a0 (1) what does the character say about himself? (2) what do others say about the character? (3) what conflicts does the character encounter, and how are these resolved?\u00a0 (4) what is the character’s reaction to friends?\u00a0 (5) what is the character’s reaction to enemies? (6) what is the climactic event in the character’s life?<\/p>\n

There are more questions like these helpful to biographical study of Bible characters to be found under the category “How to Study the Bible” linked on the right hand side of this page.<\/p>\n

There have been great works devoted to a study of the life of Christ. One of the very best is a relatively small volume by Philip Schaff titled The Person of Christ<\/em>. When I asked Pastor Norman Douty many years ago while visiting in his home for a list of what he considered the ten best books to have and be sure to read, this book was on the list. The book was out of print back then, and may be out of print still. But of the books he suggested that I have read, all have been good, but this one surely has been the best.<\/p>\n

I suspect that if anyone were to compare the character of Christ with the character of any other founder of a great religion, other religious founders would fall far short by comparison as to their personal moral character.\u00a0 None of them can make the claim to be entirely without sin, but Jesus made that claim (John 8:46).<\/p>\n

The morality advocated and exhibited by Jesus Christ has never been matched and has never been superseded.<\/p>\n

On my shelves here I have a book by Robert E. Speer, The Finality of Jesus Christ<\/em>. The second paragraph of the author’s preface is still well worth considering:<\/p>\n

To the thought of the early Church Jesus Christ was the Son of God, the full and final revelation of the Father, the One Lord and Saviour. And He was also the most real life of that early Church, a power of joy and purity and love, the bond of a new fellowship, the Head of a new society, the Light of a new day. If, in our own time, we have lost Him in either of these two aspects, as the object of faith or the subject of experience, it is because we have not truly kept Him in the other.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Most significant is the statement that Jesus Christ is “the Son of God, the full and final revelation of the Father, the One Lord and Saviour.”<\/p>\n

There are no prophets sent from God who are to come\u00a0after Jesus Christ\u00a0who in any way supersede our Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2). All who claim to be such are false prophets and false teachers.<\/p>\n

To dig deeper into Matthew 5:44 and Hebrews 1:2\u00a0read and carefully consider the cross references for these verses shared below:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Matthew 5:44<\/p>\n

But I say<\/strong>.\u00a0 ver. Mt 5:22. Mt 7:29. Ro 7:14.\u00a0 Love your enemies<\/strong>. Ex 23:4, 5. Le 19:18. 2 K 6:22. 2 Ch 28:9-15.\u00a0 *Jb 31:29, 30.\u00a0 *Ps 7:4.\u00a0 35:12-14.\u00a0 +*Pr 16:7.\u00a0 25:21, 22. Lk 6:27, 28, 34, 35.\u00a0 *Lk 23:34.\u00a0 *Ac 7:60. Ro 5:8-10.\u00a0 **Ro 12:14, +Ro 12:20, 21.\u00a0 *1 Cor 4:12, 13.\u00a0 13:4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 1 Th 3:12.\u00a0 5:15.\u00a0 *1 P 2:23.\u00a0 **1 P 3:9.\u00a0 bless<\/strong>.\u00a0 Gr. euloge\u014d<\/em> (S#2127g), to speak well of<\/em>, that is, (religiously) to bless<\/em> (thank<\/em> or invoke a benediction upon<\/em>, prosper<\/em> (Strong):\u00a0 Rendered\u00a0 (1) bless:<\/em> Mt 5:44.\u00a0 14:19.\u00a0 21:9.\u00a0 23:39.\u00a0 25:34.\u00a0 26:26.\u00a0 Mk 6:41.\u00a0 8:7.\u00a0 10:16.\u00a0 11:9, 10.\u00a0 14:22.\u00a0 Lk 1:28, 42 (twice).\u00a0 Lk 2:28, 34.\u00a0 6:28.\u00a0 9:16.\u00a0 13:35.\u00a0 19:38.\u00a0 24:30, 50, 51, 53.\u00a0 Jn 12:13.\u00a0 Ac 3:26.\u00a0 Ro 12:14 (twice).\u00a0 1 Cor 4:12.\u00a0 10:16.\u00a0 14:16.\u00a0 Ga 3:9.\u00a0 Ep 1:3.\u00a0 He 6:14 (twice).\u00a0 He 7:1, 6, 7.\u00a0 11:20, 21.\u00a0 James 3:9.\u00a0 1 P 3:9.\u00a0 (2) praise:<\/em> Lk 1:64].\u00a0 ver. %+Mt 5:3.\u00a0 *Mt 18:33. Ge 42:25.\u00a0 50:21. 2 S 2:6.\u00a0 9:3. Jb 31:30. Pr 19:11.\u00a0 24:17. Ob 1:12. Lk 6:28.\u00a0 17:4.\u00a0 +*Ro 12:14, 20.\u00a0 1 Cor 4:12.\u00a0 +*1 Cor 13:6. Col 3:13. 1 Th 5:15.\u00a0 them that curse<\/strong>. Je 15:10.\u00a0 James 3:9.\u00a0 do good<\/strong>.\u00a0 Gr. kal\u014ds<\/em> [S#2573g:\u00a0 Rendered\u00a0 (1) well:<\/em> Mt 12:12.\u00a0 15:7.\u00a0 Mk 7:6, 37.\u00a0 12:28, 32.\u00a0 Lk 6:26.\u00a0 20:39.\u00a0 Jn 4:17.\u00a0 8:48.\u00a0 13:13.\u00a0 18:23.\u00a0 Ac 10:33.\u00a0 28:25.\u00a0 Ro 11:20.\u00a0 1 Cor 7:37, 38.\u00a0 14:17.\u00a0 2 Cor 11:4.\u00a0 Ga 4:17.\u00a0 5:7.\u00a0 Phil 4:14.\u00a0 1 Tim 3:3, 12, 13.\u00a0 5:17.\u00a0 James 2:8, 19.\u00a0 2 P 1:19.\u00a0 3 J 1:6.\u00a0 (2) good:<\/em> Mt 5:44.\u00a0 Lk 6:27.\u00a0 (3) full well:<\/em> Mk 7:9.\u00a0 (4) very well:<\/em> Ac 25:10.\u00a0 (5) recover (with S#2192g): <\/em>Mk 16:18.\u00a0 (6) honestly:<\/em> He 13:18.\u00a0 (7) in a good place:<\/em> Ja 2:3]. Ge 25:6. Dt 22:4.\u00a0 *1 S 24:6, 7, 17, 18.\u00a0 30:11. 1 K 2:9n.\u00a0 +Ps 14:3. Pr 25:21. Jn 15:8. Ac 16:28.\u00a0 *Ga 6:10. 1 P 3:11.\u00a0 pray for<\/strong>.\u00a0 T#1473. Ex 8:12.\u00a0 10:18. Nu 12:13.\u00a0 16:47.\u00a0 *1 S 12:23.\u00a0 15:11. 2 S 1:12. 1 K 13:6. Ps 35:13, 14.\u00a0 141:5. Je 29:7.\u00a0 *Mk 11:25.\u00a0 *Lk 6:27, 28.\u00a0 *Lk 18:1.\u00a0 23:33, 34. Jn 17:9. Ac 7:59, 60.\u00a0 16:25. Ro 10:1.\u00a0 1 Cor 4:12, 13.\u00a0 1 Tim 2:8.\u00a0 %+*2 Tim 4:14, 16. 1 P 3:9.\u00a0 which despitefully use you<\/strong>. Rather, are cursing, are hating, are despitefully using and persecuting you, i.e. even while in the act, and continuing this treatment of you (De Burgh). Ac 14:5.\u00a0 persecute<\/strong>.\u00a0 T#1639. Je 29:7.\u00a0 *1 Cor 4:12.<\/p>\n

Hebrews 1:2<\/p>\n

these last days<\/strong>.\u00a0 or, at the end of these days.\u00a0 i.e.\u00a0 at the period closed by the ministry of John (CB).\u00a0 He 2:5.\u00a0 6:5.\u00a0 9:26.\u00a0 +Ge 49:1.\u00a0 Nu 24:14.\u00a0 Dt 4:30.\u00a0 18:15.\u00a0 31:29.\u00a0 *Is 2:2.\u00a0 Je 30:24.\u00a0 48:47.\u00a0 Ezk 38:16.\u00a0 Da 2:28.\u00a0 10:14.\u00a0 Ho 3:5.\u00a0 Mic 4:1.\u00a0 +Mt 12:32.\u00a0 Ac 2:17.\u00a0 1 C 10:11.\u00a0 **Ga 4:4.\u00a0 +*Ep 1:10.\u00a0 James 5:3.\u00a0 1 P 1:20.\u00a0 2 P 3:3.\u00a0 +1 J 2:18.\u00a0 Jude 1:18.\u00a0 spoken<\/strong>.\u00a0 Aorist tense, indicative mood, third person singular verb.\u00a0 This revelation was final because made by one who in all He is and does, reveals the Father (EGT).\u00a0 ver. He 1:5, 8.\u00a0 *He 2:1, 3.\u00a0 *He 5:8.\u00a0 7:3.\u00a0 =Ex 20:19.\u00a0 =Dt 5:5.\u00a0 16:1n, Dt 16:6.\u00a0 *Mt 3:17.\u00a0 *Mt 17:5.\u00a0 26:63.\u00a0 Mk 1:1.\u00a0 12:6.\u00a0 *Jn 1:14, 17, 18.\u00a0 **Jn 3:16.\u00a0 *Jn 14:10.\u00a0 15:15, 22-24.\u00a0 Ac 3:22.\u00a0 +*Ro 1:4.\u00a0 by his<\/em> Son<\/strong>.\u00a0 No article, but its absence only “more emphatically and definitely expresses the exclusive character of His Sonship” (CB).\u00a0 The revelation now consisted not merely in what was said but in what He was (EGT).\u00a0 ver. He 1:8.\u00a0 He 3:6.\u00a0 4:14.\u00a0 *He 5:8.\u00a0 6:6.\u00a0 7:3, 28.\u00a0 10:29.\u00a0 **Mt 11:27.\u00a0 *+Mt 14:33.\u00a0 17:5.\u00a0 21:37.\u00a0 +*Mt 24:36.\u00a0 Mk 1:1.\u00a0 12:2, 6.\u00a0 +*Lk 1:32.\u00a0 Jn 1:34.\u00a0 **Jn 9:35.\u00a0 14:10.\u00a0 whom he<\/strong>.\u00a0 Jn 14:28.\u00a0 Ac 2:33.\u00a0 appointed<\/strong>.\u00a0 FS171J8, +Ro 4:17.\u00a0 *He 2:6, 8, 9.\u00a0 *Ps 2:6-9.\u00a0 +*Is 9:6, 7.\u00a0 *Is 53:10-12.\u00a0 *Mt 12:42.\u00a0 21:38.\u00a0 28:18.\u00a0 *Jn 3:35.\u00a0 13:3.\u00a0 16:15.\u00a0 17:2.\u00a0 +*Ac 10:36.\u00a0 *Ro 8:17.\u00a0 *1 Cor 8:6.\u00a0 15:25-27.\u00a0 Ep 1:20-23.\u00a0 **Phil 2:9, 10, 11.\u00a0 *Col 1:17, 18.\u00a0 1 P 3:22.\u00a0 heir<\/strong>.\u00a0 He 3:6.\u00a0 *Ps 2:8.\u00a0 +*Ps 94:14.\u00a0 Mt 21:28.\u00a0 *+Mt 28:18.\u00a0 Lk 20:14.\u00a0 **Ro 8:17.\u00a0 2 Cor 8:9.\u00a0 Ep 1:11n.\u00a0 all things<\/strong>.\u00a0 Ge 25:5.\u00a0 Ps 8:6.\u00a0 Jn 1:3.\u00a0 *Jn 3:35.\u00a0 1 Cor 8:6.\u00a0 11:12.\u00a0 Col 1:16.\u00a0 by whom<\/strong>.\u00a0 He 2:10.\u00a0 3:3.\u00a0 Pr 8:22-31.\u00a0 Is 44:24.\u00a0 45:12, 18.\u00a0 Mt 16:16.\u00a0 *+Jn 1:3.\u00a0 *1 Cor 8:6.\u00a0 *Ep 3:9.\u00a0 +*Col 1:16, 17.\u00a0 made<\/strong>.\u00a0 He 3:3, 4.\u00a0 Ge 1:1.\u00a0 Jb 38:4.\u00a0 *Ps 33:9.\u00a0 +*Ps 93:1.\u00a0 Pr 8:27.\u00a0 Is 42:5.\u00a0 66:2.\u00a0 Je 27:5.\u00a0 *Je 32:17.\u00a0 51:15. \u00a0Jn 1:10.\u00a0 5:17.\u00a0 Ac 17:24.\u00a0 Ep 3:9.\u00a0 1 P 4:19.\u00a0 Re 4:11.\u00a0 worlds<\/strong>.\u00a0 Gr. aions<\/em>, +Mt 6:13.\u00a0 FS121P2, +Mt 13:22. Ai\u014dnes<\/em>, generally translated “ages,” but used by the Jews for the universe (Grant).\u00a0 He 11:3.\u00a0 +1 Tim 1:17.<\/p>\n<\/fb:like><\/fb:like><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Nugget: Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[983,228],"tags":[3677,3663,3673,3675,3674,3678,3672,3669,3671,3664,3666,3665,3667,3668,3676,3670],"class_list":["post-1937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-daily-bible-nuggets","category-how-to-study-the-bible","tag-basic-questions-for-biography-study","tag-daily-bible-nugget-387-matthew-544","tag-hebrews-12","tag-hebrews-12-cross-reference-bible-study","tag-hebrews-12-with-fuller-cross-references","tag-how-to-study-bible-biography","tag-jesus-christ-never-to-be-superseded-by-another-prophet","tag-jesus-christ-sinless","tag-jesus-christ-superior-in-moral-character-to-all-other-religious-founders","tag-matthew-544","tag-matthew-544-cross-reference-study","tag-matthew-544-with-fuller-references","tag-philip-schaff-the-person-of-christ","tag-robert-speer-the-finality-of-jesus-christ","tag-the-moral-code-of-jesus-christ-has-never-been-improved-upon","tag-the-sinlessness-of-christ"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1937"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1937\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.realbiblestudy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}