I liked the story about Leopold III, in today’s study; it’s often the case that sometimes, we need someone who has lost or hurt more than us, to demonstrate their readiness to offer forgiveness – which, in turn prompts us to forgive a lesser hurt.
The following verses, (a subset of the verses set for reading and meditation, Luke 27-36, NLT), form the focus of today’s study: “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
“Love your enemies! Do good to them.Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
Selwyn makes an excellent point when he says: ” … Jesus Christ not only lifts the standards to almost unbelievable heights, but He also provides the power by which we can attain them. When Jesus says, ‘ … Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you … ‘, He is not asking us to do this in own strength, but in His, He who lives in us wants to love in us.”
All the commandments that Jesus has established for us to obey – can be followed – if, we seek His help. It’s impossible to meet God’s standards by using our own strengths and abilities.
In John 14:23-26 (NLT), we read: ” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
In summary, if we try to do what Jesus has told us to do (and, the Holy Spirit will remind us and enable us to do it), we can meet God’s standards. Because, if we love God and follow His commandments, God will live in us; and we will have access to His power to achieve what He wants done. This truth is difficult to accept by many – and the paucity of ‘fruit’ in their lives reflects their lack of faith in God’s Word.
God will never ask us to do more than is possible – that is, everything He asks us to do – can be done by using His power! Do you agree?
The voice behind …
I liked the story about Leopold III, in today’s study; it’s often the case that sometimes, we need someone who has lost or hurt more than us, to demonstrate their readiness to offer forgiveness – which, in turn prompts us to forgive a lesser hurt.
The following verses, (a subset of the verses set for reading and meditation, Luke 27-36, NLT), form the focus of today’s study: “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
“Love your enemies! Do good to them.Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
Selwyn makes an excellent point when he says: ” … Jesus Christ not only lifts the standards to almost unbelievable heights, but He also provides the power by which we can attain them. When Jesus says, ‘ … Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you … ‘, He is not asking us to do this in own strength, but in His, He who lives in us wants to love in us.”
All the commandments that Jesus has established for us to obey – can be followed – if, we seek His help. It’s impossible to meet God’s standards by using our own strengths and abilities.
In John 14:23-26 (NLT), we read: ” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
In summary, if we try to do what Jesus has told us to do (and, the Holy Spirit will remind us and enable us to do it), we can meet God’s standards. Because, if we love God and follow His commandments, God will live in us; and we will have access to His power to achieve what He wants done. This truth is difficult to accept by many – and the paucity of ‘fruit’ in their lives reflects their lack of faith in God’s Word.
God will never ask us to do more than is possible – that is, everything He asks us to do – can be done by using His power! Do you agree?