Tag: Luke 6:27-31
God commands love for enemies!
Scripture reading for July 5th: Luke 6, Psalm 133, Proverbs 9
Luke 6: 27-31 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 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.”
The law of sowing and reaping says that we get back what we put out. Jesus, knowing this to be true, commanded His followers to show love for their enemies. God’s love does what is best for the other person, in order to see them converted. When we do good to our enemies, it opens up their lives to see and experience the grace of God and hopefully draws them to repentance and life. This can change them from being your enemy to being a brother or sister and dwelling in God’s unity of the Trinity. This is Wisdom speaking, as God’s Word and Jesus are Wisdom for us!
Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are Love and Wisdom. Forgive me for at times ignoring this command to love my enemies. I would rather ignore them or get even. This is not like Jesus. Fill me with Your Love and remind me to show love to all You put in my life and path. I desire the good and pleasant peace of dwelling in unity with You and Your people.
Proverbs 9:12 “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”
Radical Love!
Scripture reading for March 9th: Deuteronomy 21-24, Luke 6
Key Scriptures: Luke 6:27-31 “”But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who cures you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Jesus gave strong instructions to His followers. Most were Jews instructed by God’s law on how to treat others. It was an ‘eye for and eye’ and ‘a tooth for a tooth’ that stood out to them. Now Jesus was telling them to love and do good even to enemies that would steal or harm. The new rule was “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Deuteronomy 24:17-18 “You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge, but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for treating me, Your enemy, with kindness and unmerited favor. By Your Spirit, make me attentive to showing love to all, even ‘enemies’. Amen.