In Luke, Jesus gives a sermon very similar to the Sermon on the Mount that we call the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49). One of the main points of this sermon is how we treat our enemies. We are to:
1 – Love them
2 – Bless them
3 – Pray for them
4 – Be generous toward them
At the end of this instruction Jesus says this, “But love your enemies and do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” (6:35-36).
Love of enemies requires mercy. When you show mercy to show love you are acting like God. A child acts like their parent. As hard as it is to do these things they aren’t as difficult if we have been paying attention to our Father the whole time.
Think of someone you have a hard time with. Have you prayed for them? Have you blessed them? Have you been generous with them?
Maybe now is the time to start!
2 Responses
With all due respect, Matt, but the people I associate with are practicing these things. Sure, they have their ups and downs, but when there are needs, the family comes together as one. Not only when a member of the family is in need, but when community members are, as well. Much of this happens behind the curtain – but we know it happens!
This congregation has been on of the most unselfish group of people I have met through the past 40+ years. Not only here in the U.S., but in many places overseas, as well.
I have had the privilege to work with a number of different congregations in the Netherlands and other European countries, and each of them exemplified, on one level or another, the exact kind of ‘discipleship,’ or my favorite term, ‘mime-ship,’ of God.
Are there less ‘mime’ infested congregations throughout the world? I am sure there are. And if this is the case where you work, my deepest sympathies. And yes, there are shortcomings where I live as well. But overall, as a congregation, we are quite busy ‘miming.’
That is great news! Not sure why it requires an all due respect at all. Keep up the great work and thanks for being a great example of what Jesus taught! Blessings