Today's Scripture
Respond with Love – Luke 6:27-31
27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Stephanie Dickenson's Devotion
| What Does the Passage say? |
| Luke 6:27-34
27-30 “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. 31-34 “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
What does it mean? 27-31 Be unexpectedly kind in relationships. Instead of retaliating against enemies, respond to abuse with the strength of a loving companion. So if someone strikes you, control your anger don’t even think of striking back. If someone steals, act as if you are offering the stolen item as a gift, in fact give more! Do not concern yourself with “getting even.” |
| What Does it Mean to Me/ Us |
| William Saroyan stated “you must give foolishly even, for if you give to a thief, he can no longer steal from you and he, himself, is no longer a thief. And the more you give, the more you will have to give.”
Think about what this says. When we retaliate we sink to the enemy’s level of interaction. However, if we steadfastly hold onto the high ground, we tend to pull others up to where we are. We have the opportunity to change someone’s identity! Once in a while someone will respond to a kindness by asking : ”Why did you do that?” What a wonderful opportunity to say “it is my gift of thanks to my blessed Lord Jesus for all He has done for me.”
Prayer Lord, grant me the strength and depth of love to suffer for the sake of honoring You in my life and relationships. If you are my all in all that is sufficient; I can stand up and love my enemy even when he has in mind to harm me. |
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