Jesus teaches us to defy human reason and take on a lifestyle of love.
29 If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back.
31 Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 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 be repaid in full.
35 But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Jesus came to our world with some radical new ideas, since the beginning of time there had never been much kindness in the world, this new teaching was very different.
Jesus walked into a very harsh world and said that we should love everybody without exception and even if you are having a hard time loving them he still wants you to treat them very well. Do good to them and allow them to get away with taking from you and mistreating you. This is a very different teaching that meant taking love to the next level and showing mercy in the same way that God did. After all Jesus was on our planet because of God's great mercy.
Have you thought about the idea of showing mercy to the extent that your Father in heaven showed mercy to you? That seems ridiculous to those that are not a Christ follower but those of us that have experienced God's mercy have not been given any other option.
I need to remember that this world isn't all about me, God did not design it for my personal satisfaction, he did not promise me that everybody would like me. I will be mistreated and I will be misunderstood but I still need to show mercy without restraint, I need to be full of mercy regardless of how I feel or what I think that I have a right to. God loved me without standing up for his rights and he wants me to do the same.
Thank you Lord for showing me mercy instead of being a score keeper.
Jesus walked into a very harsh world and said that we should love everybody without exception and even if you are having a hard time loving them he still wants you to treat them very well. Do good to them and allow them to get away with taking from you and mistreating you. This is a very different teaching that meant taking love to the next level and showing mercy in the same way that God did. After all Jesus was on our planet because of God's great mercy.
Have you thought about the idea of showing mercy to the extent that your Father in heaven showed mercy to you? That seems ridiculous to those that are not a Christ follower but those of us that have experienced God's mercy have not been given any other option.
I need to remember that this world isn't all about me, God did not design it for my personal satisfaction, he did not promise me that everybody would like me. I will be mistreated and I will be misunderstood but I still need to show mercy without restraint, I need to be full of mercy regardless of how I feel or what I think that I have a right to. God loved me without standing up for his rights and he wants me to do the same.
Thank you Lord for showing me mercy instead of being a score keeper.
