Tag: be merciful
Great reward in loving enemies!
Scripture reading for March 18th: Deuteronomy 4-5, Luke 6
Luke 6: 32-36 “”If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.””
Jesus had some hard questions for His followers. It is easy to love those who love you and to do good to those who will repay the kindness. We can lend to those we know will repay. But Jesus challenged us to love those who were our enemies and sought to do us harm. He commanded us to do good to those who would misuse us and to lend to those who could never repay. This was a reflection of the Father’s heart of mercy. He loves to show mercy because it is His kindness that leads us to repentance. Those who obey the Father’s leading will reap a great reward! It may be that these enemies will become brothers and sisters living with us for eternity!
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?”
Prayer: Father God, I am always amazed at Your heart of mercy for people. I am learning slowly to obey in these difficult areas of loving my enemies and doing good to those who would hurt me. Patiently help me to reflect Your heart and character towards lost and hurting people and I would love to see them all in heaven enjoying eternal life! What a great reward!
Deuteronomy 5:32-33 “You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.”
Love your enemy!
Scripture reading for March 11th: Luke 6
Jesus loved to teach the people the ways of the kingdom of God. He came to preach the ‘good news’ of the kingdom but part of it sounded strange to those who heard Him. God’s ways and the way of His people would be markedly different than the way of those in the world!
“But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on the cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:27-31) First, we must ‘hear Jesus’. Listening is not just with our ears, but with our hearts. We must always be ready to make adjustments in our thinking!
Jesus asked His followers to love their enemies and to do good to those who would mistreat them. This was a hard teaching then and now as well. God wants none to perish, but all to come to repentance. It is not God’s judgment that leads people to repentance, but His goodness and kindness! (Romans 2:4) This kindness must not be in word only, but also in deed. God wants us to reflect His kindness to those who hate us in order to reach them!
Kingdom people hear Jesus’ instruction and allow God to use them to reach their enemies! Take time today to show kindness to someone who has mistreated you or hates you! Do unto them what you would want done to you!