15-Jun-2024 – God wants to build your character
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” – Luke 6:27-28
The Lord’s teachings in Luke 6:27-28 challenge us to live a life that goes beyond the ordinary, a life that reflects the nature of God Himself. Here, Jesus presents a radical way of living, one that is credited by God in heaven.
An enemy is someone who wishes ill upon us or causes loss in our lives. Jesus calls us to love these individuals. This is not merely about tolerating them but actively seeking their good.
“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.” – Luke 6:32
The reason for this teaching is clear: our Lord wants us to be different from those who do not know Him. Jesus Himself loved sinners, even forgiving those who participated in His crucifixion and abused Him. He demands the same love from us.
The points or example scenarios Jesus touched upon in this portion are as below:
- Do Good to Those Who Hate You:
In our practical lives, hatred can often be seen within families, particularly after marriage, or even among siblings. Sometimes, people hate each other for trivial reasons. As believers in Jesus Christ, we must display an attitude of doing good to those who hate us. - Bless Those Who Curse You:
In our daily lives, some people curse us to our faces, while others do so behind our backs. Regardless, God wants us to bless these people. Blessing them can change the atmosphere and soften hearts. - Pray for Those Who Despitefully Use You:
This behavior is commonly seen in families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. It is challenging to deal with such individuals, but our Lord instructs us to pray for their well-being and transformation. - Turn the Other Cheek:
Jesus speaks of those who take away what rightfully belongs to us, often with ill intent. If they take our cloak, we should not forbid them from taking our coat as well. This teaching is about showing that our trust is in God, not in material possessions.
We might worry that living this way will make us vulnerable to manipulation. However, Jesus reassures us:
“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.” – Luke 6:35
By acting in this manner, we resemble our merciful and forgiving God. Our goal is to please God in secret, not to seek recognition from others. When we practice this mindset, we receive supernatural rewards.
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” – Luke 6:37-38
Our forgiveness and kindness toward those who mistreat us enable God to forgive our sins, removing barriers to His blessings. When we give without expecting a return, God provides abundantly in our times of need.
Living out these teachings builds our character and demonstrates the greatness of our God. It’s not about living a defeated life but becoming testimonies of God’s power and love.
Will you hear Him today and respond with love and reverence?
Prayer:
Dear loving Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for teaching me today about the lifestyle you desire for us. It is challenging to live like this, but help me recognize that building character requires hard training. Strengthen me to stand firm in faith. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!
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