Exploring The Minor Prophets -- Part 5

 Obadiah Part 2

     We also need to think about the teachings of the Lord Jesus when it comes to the point that Jesus told us that we are to love our enemies. Even if someone has done wrong to us, we are to be people who love in the same way that Jesus loved including those who opposed everything that He was trying to do.

     Jesus also tells us that we are always to do unto others as we would have others do unto us. In other words, we need to treat others in the same way that we would like to be treated.

     As Christians, when we see misfortune or problems beset someone, even our enemies, we are not to rejoice. Instead, we are to reach out in love in order to help others in the best way that we can as we are strengthened by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

     Now, for the second area that we need to focus on. The nation of Edom took pride in the fact that it had excellent natural defenses. We are not able to be conquered by anyone was their thinking. However, the Bible tells us that pride comes before a fall. And Edom did fall, and it has not again existed as a nation since that fall.

     As those who would imitate the life of Jesus and follow Him as Lord, there is no place in our lives for pride and/or boasting. First of all, as Christians, we know that we are sinners. We could not save ourselves. Salvation is by grace through faith. It is a gift from God, so there is no reason for boasting as Paul tells us in Ephesians 2.

     We are dependent upon the grace of God for everything that we have not just our eternal salvation. Everything that is good and right in our lives comes from the grace of our Lord in Heaven.

     Instead of having an attitude of pride, the believer needs to cultivate humility in imitation of the humble heart of the Lord Jesus. Humility was one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Lord while He was on this earth.

     In the Upper Room, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. He said that He had come to serve and not to be served. We need to have a servant’s heart like that of Jesus. It is not all about us. It is about serving Jesus and others.