Do we hear some commands in scripture through a filter?
“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28 CSB
I confess I don’t love the people who want to change the way I live and the things that are accepted as lawful in my country and city. I get angry when people who are selfish want to take advantage of others. And I want to love those others enough to defend them.
But when I read this passage, I notice something. I’m not supposed to defend myself.
What does Jesus mean when he tells us to do good to those who hate us? Check the context around this. Ask God to show you where you need to drop your guard. Can we love those who would take away our constitutional rights? Can we extend these statements of Jesus into our own life and situation?
As I sense all kinds of tension in the media which exists to accentuate the conflict, I am convicted and embarrassed by this verse. Can I do good to those who hate me? Will I let myself wiggle off the hook or will I confront this behavior in my life?
Today, ask God to show you where you’re holding back. “Do good to those who hate you.” It may be that we who follow Jesus will have to get better at loving people who don’t love us.
Will we trust Jesus and the Bible in this?
Take a minute and tell someone else about this podcast. Just one person. Every one who listens can spread the word. We’ve been called to live and love others like Jesus did. How are we doing? Are we willing to honestly work to get better?
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