Rain Falls On The Just And The Unjust: Flood Series Part 8 of 8

Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He (God) makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, AND SENDS RAIN ON THE JUST AND ON THE UNJUST.  

"For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

We've come to the end of our study of the Flood Series.  We've been talking a lot about the flood, rain:  LOTS OF RAIN, judgment and grace.  The final topic I'd like to discuss is another one about rain:  "for He (God) makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, AND SENDS RAIN ON THE JUST AND ON THE UNJUST."

God so loved the world; the WHOLE WORLD.  That means both the just and the unjust.  He sends the sunshine and the rain on them both. This verse about rain has been quoted so many times, or should I say, "MISquoted," that is has been MISunderstood and MISapplied with a negative connotation in the Church.  You know what they're implying, right?  That judgment falls on believers just the same as on unbelievers. 
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.


If the flood of Noah's day is any indication, the rain did indeed fall on the just and the unjust. 

But consider this:  Romans 8:1 plainly says, "There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them that are in Christ Jesus."   That means, ALL judgment, ALL punishment, even death, is behind the believer.  (For more on this topic, follow the link below:  

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/06/don-end-up-like-philistines.html)

Even if your earth space suit discontinues; you know, if you die, the real you goes on living.....somewhere.

In the beginning, God formed man out of the dust of the earth but he was nothing more than a mannequin, if you will; a lifeless form, until God BREATHED into him and he became a living soul.  Folks, the spirit inside you is the very breath of God.  That's why it cannot die.  It will continue on after you physically die and exist somewhere FOREVER.  Based on your acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ, YOU CHOOSE THE PLACE.

We who have been born into God's family now no longer die but go on living forever; we relocate to heaven!  Now we are MORE ALIVE THAN EVER!  Our physical bodies and the forces against it are no longer a hindrance.  Suddenly, Church, you'll will find it hard to believe you are so alive after you are dead!

When Adam sinned against God and fell, he didn't die physically right away but spiritually.  There was so much of the life of God in him that he lived until he lived for 930 years old!  From that day to this, mankind is born into this world spiritually dead.  Every one of us needs Jesus to bring us spiritually back to life.  You see, He didn't come to make bad people good; He came to make DEAD PEOPLE LIVE! 

Those who refuse to accept Jesus as Savior will go on existing forever as well:  In hell, which, I assure you, is a very real place of eternal darkness.  

Don't listen to the devil's lies about Jesus and forfeit eternal life in heaven.  Jesus talked a lot about that evil, eternal place, because He loved us so much.  It was designed for the devil and his angels, not man. It's a place where the fire is not quenched and the worm never dies, where the condemned are tormented FOREVER:  No reprieve.  

Is that what you want?  I HOPE NOT!!!

That whole negative idea that "rain" is referring to judgment falling on the just and the unjust comes from you-know-who.  He is always trying to give Our Father a bad Name and to bring you and I under condemnation.  Read the verse IN CONTEXT, however, and it becomes clear what Jesus meant:  That God loves the whole world.  He blesses the unjust BECAUSE OF THE JUST.  

Remember, Jesus was talking to JEWISH people in the Gospel of Matthew.  (For more on this topic and about rightly dividing, follow the link below:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/11/part-3-of-16-rightly-dividing-word-of.html

 

You see, they had the mistaken idea that the Messiah was only for them. They didn't 

understand, #1, that Jesus would die on a cruel cross and, #2, that He would die for the sins of the entire world; yes, even for those ignorant, barbaric Gentiles too.  Well, that's how they thought of them anyway.  They had no idea that Jesus was going to build His Church and, most assuredly, they would not have guessed that it would consist of Gentile people from every nation, every tribe and every tongue.  Aren't we glad Jesus had a more inclusive agenda?!

Of course, too much rain isn't good either.  Floods are destructive.  THE FLOOD of Noah's day was a judgment on all mankind at that time.  Lest you think God was unjust to send it, follow the link below.  The "people" that were killed in that flood weren't fully human.  Here's a link to part one of this study:   
 http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/07/noahs-ark-flood-series-part-1.html

But now, because of Christ, there is therefore now NO MORE JUDGMENT of any kind for
us, Church.  HALLELUJAH!  

Be greatly blessed, highly favored, knowing that you are deeply loved by our awesome Abba!  And don't let the devil "rain on your parade."

 Rest assured:  Jesus was not referring to judgment or punishment for you and I when He said "The rain falls on the just and the unjust."