Being a Christian is not some title we bear but a call to live a life different from what people consider normal. If you would ever follow Christ, you may suffer many things for his sake. This itches the ears of many but this is the truth even as it was said concerning Paul to Ananias ( Acts 9:1-16). Some people may even term you foolish and the way of God is like foolishness to those who do not believe but this we must be ready to do. Let's see the passage of scripture below:
"But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, [28] Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. [29] And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. [30] Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. [31] And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. [32] For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. [33] And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. [34] And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. [35] But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. [36] Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful". (Luke 6:27-36)
Christ tells us many things according to this scripture, many of which we may struggle with but if truly we have been born of God, he would give us the grace to live this life. People must see not only by what we say but by the life we live that we are indeed children of God.
People will tell you to hate your enemies, in this case, people who seek to frustrate your effort, weigh you down with their words, and many more, but Christ says to love them and to do good to them though they hate you. He said to bless those who curse you and to pray for those who despitefully use you. This seems different from what people would say but this is how we should live as believers.
While we can love people that love us and do good to those who care about us alone, he says to do so even to our enemies. This is what proves to people that you have the life of Christ in you; that even while he was nailed to the cross, he still prayed for the forgiveness of their sins. Stephen also did the same. How many of us can do that?
If we do good to those who do good to us alone, what have we done differently from those who do not believe? If the reason we give is that we expect to be given in return, what difference have we made?
We are to love our enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and our reward shall be great, and we shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. The Lord causes his word to dwell richly in our hearts.
Thought for the Day: as believers, we are to live differently from those who do not believe. While they curse those who curse them, hate their enemies, and give to be given in return, we are to love our enemies, pray for those who despitefully use us, and give with the hope of gaining nothing in return. Christ admonishes us to be merciful even as our Father is merciful.
Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying, and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, inquiries/testimonies, please call or WhatsApp: 09168301042 or Email: [email protected].
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