We will start today by reading through Luke 6:32-36
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 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. 35 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. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
This one hits home. It's so easy to obviously love others who are nice to us, or our family, friends, close relatives, etc. How about loving the person that does you wrong? Have you ever felt someone at work or school has done you wrong? Tried to get above you by rubbing your name in the dirt? Is it easy to love that person? Human nature is anger. Human nature is to gossip and tell others how this person wronged you. Sometimes even revenge?
Jesus way to this is to choose forgiveness. What does this mean though, does this mean not sticking up for yourself, and letting wrongs be done to you? I don't believe so. I do think this means that if your "enemies" happen to reach out for help, you should give it to them and show grace instead of having your "moment" for revenge. This is obviously a leap of faith and goodwill because this person may have burned you many times. Think of an alcoholic who continuously keeps messing up over, and over, and over again. It's easy to tell that person, why would I help you, you're just going to make the same mistake again? There may also be that one time, that person chooses to switch to the light instead of darkness because of your actions. We also never know what trauma that person who wronged you has experienced in their life. It is not up to us to judge them, but to love them and to show grace and compassion towards them.
I encourage you today, to choose kindness towards others, or even lend a smile to the person who has wronged you.
Comments