Scripture:
Luke 6:27-38 (English Standard Version)
Love Your Enemies
27"But I say to you who hear,(A) Love your enemies,(B) do good to those who hate you, 28(C) bless those who curse you,(D) pray for those who abuse you. 29(E) To one who(F) strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic[a] either. 30(G) Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31And(H) as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32(I) "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34And(J) if you(K) 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. 35But(L) love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and(M) you will be sons of(N) the Most High, for(O) he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36(P) Be merciful, even as(Q) your Father is merciful.
Judging Others 37(R) (S) "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38(T) give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put(U) into your lap. For(V) with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
Footnotes:
Luke 6:29 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
Cross references:
Luke 6:27 : Matt 5:44
Luke 6:27 : Prov 25:21, 22; Rom 12:20, 21
Luke 6:28 : 1 Pet 3:9
Luke 6:28 : Luke 6:27
Luke 6:29 : For Luke 6:29, 30, Matt 5:39-42; Rom 12:17
Luke 6:29 : Isa 50:6; Lam 3:30; Matt 26:67
Luke 6:30 : Psalm 37:21; Prov 21:26
Luke 6:31 : Matt 7:12
Luke 6:32 : Matt 5:46
Luke 6:34 : Luke 14:12-14; Prov 19:17; Matt 5:42
Luke 6:34 : Psalm 37:26
Luke 6:35 : Luke 6:27
Luke 6:35 : Matt 5:45
Luke 6:35 : Luke 1:32; Mark 5:7
Luke 6:35 : James 1:5
Luke 6:36 : Matt 5:7, 48; Eph 5:1, 2; James 3:17
Luke 6:36 : James 5:11
Luke 6:37 : For Luke 6:37, 38, 41, 42, Matt 7:1-5; Rom 14:13; 1 Cor 4:5; James 5:9
Luke 6:37 : Matt 6:14; 18:23-35
Luke 6:38 : 2 Cor 9:6-8
Luke 6:38 : Psalm 79:12; Isa 65:6, 7
Luke 6:38 : Mark 4:24; Judg 1:7
Reflection: GRACE
What makes Christians different and what makes Christianity distinct from any other religion? It is grace — treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated — with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as the just. His love embraces saint and sinner alike. God seeks our highest good and teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are ungrateful and selfish towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which God has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can expect to benefit form doing so. How much harder when we can expect nothing in return. Our prayer for those who do us ill both breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of love to do good in the face of evil. How can we possibly love those who cause us harm and ill-will? With God all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who believe and accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. His love conquers all, even our hurts, fears, prejudices and griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has power to heal and to save from destruction. Do you know the power of Christ's redeeming love and mercy?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart free that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make me bitter towards anyone
No comments:
Post a Comment