#DailyDevotion The Life Jesus Expects Us To Live

Luk 6:27-35  “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  (28)  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  (29)  To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.  (30)  Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.  (31)  And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.  (32)  “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  (33)  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.  (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 get back the same amount.  (35)  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Some Christians may say “This is impossible!” Well if you don’t have the Holy Spirit that might be true. But you are baptized. You have received the Holy Spirit. You are God’s children. That doesn’t mean this will be easy. You are still living in fallen flesh which wars against your spirit. It will be a struggle. Jesus struggled in the Garden. Jesus struggled on the cross. It won’t be any easier for you.

So this passage is pretty clear. A lot doesn’t need to be explained. You just do it. But there are a couple of things we need to understand in context. Striking the cheek was an invitation to a fight. It was a slap, kind of like a push. So if someone slaps you or pushes you let them. Don’t take the bait. Don’t engage in the fight. Don’t strike back. Forgive the person and let them know God loves them.

Luke doesn’t mention the part of the sermon where Jesus tells you if you are forced to go one mile go two. This was a case a being conscripted by the military. This is being not being abducted.

However Jesus’ words here are for you to practice. Jesus is serious. He wants and expects you to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, give to those who ask of you, turn your cheek and lend your stuff without demanding it back. It is a radical way of life.

For those who fret about God rewarding those who do good, no need to fret. Jesus is actually making promises of reward. He is actually encouraging to do good to be rewarded. Jesus says that it is to your benefit to live this way. He promises your reward will be great. He doesn’t spell out what those will be but certainly the Creator of the universe can and will reward you greatly.

When we live this way we will be son of the Most High. Why is that? Because the seed doesn’t fall far from the tree. The Most High is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. That would be you. Before you were born again of the water and the Spirit you were dead in your trespasses and sins. You were enemies of God and hated God. God has had mercy on you. God has given you food, clothing and shelter. God has given you family and government. Most of all he has forgiven your sins and has accepted you as his children for the sake of Jesus Christ who died for your sins. He sacrificed his son and put him to death so that you may live and have life.

Heavenly Father, continually give us faith and your Holy Spirit that we may live and live out your life in our lives and received the rewards you have promised us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.