“Be Merciful, Just As Your Father Is Merciful”

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:27-36

Jesus urged His followers to pursue a lifestyle that demonstrates God’s mercy to all. He tells us to love our enemies. He tells us to do good to those who hate you. He tells us to bless those who curse us. He tells us to pray for those who spitefully use us.

Generosity and a lack of retaliation should characterize our reaction to unreasonable treatment.

All of these things seem impossible to us. They are if we rely on our own strength and resolve. The strength comes from the Spirit. And the resolve comes from remembering who God has treated us.

Christianity is not just Christ in us, but Christ living His life through us.

Our Daily Bread – July 13, 2013