Luke 6:30-35
Give to everyone who asks and
don’t ask people to return what they have taken from you. Treat others
just as you want to be treated.
If you love only someone who
loves you, will God praise you for that? Even sinners love people who
love them. If you are kind only to someone who is kind to you, will God
be pleased with you for that? Even sinners are kind to people who are
kind to them. If you lend money only to someone you think will pay you
back, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners lend to
sinners because they think they will get it all back.
But love
your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid
back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true
children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful
and cruel.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It’s
happened more than once. A person I thought was a friend did something
hurtful toward me – or toward another friend or loved one. And then
this person acted as if nothing had happened. There are also a few
people who never respond to my kindnesses…who never say “Thank You” when
I wish them well or do something nice for them. And I continue to do it
anyway. Why? Because decades ago, someone gave me some excellent (and scriptural) advice when another person had treated me poorly…”Kill ‘em with kindness.”
Here’s
the thing…think of all that you have done that broke Jesus’ heart. Did
He turn His back on you? Did Jesus say, “You mistreated Me, so I am not
doing another thing for you!”…or “You are dead to Me!” No, Jesus
continues to love us and bless us even as we disappoint Him on a daily
basis. We are offered unmerited favor, also known as GRACE – God’s
Riches At Christ’s Expense. And we are called to extend this same gift
to others.
At every turn, we must ask ourselves, “How do we wish
to be treated?” We must consider how Jesus treats us – even when we
falter…how He reacts when we “borrow” and don’t repay…how He loves us
even when we break His heart. We have to ask ourselves whether we think
we are better than Jesus…or whether we should be implementing His model
of compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness in our daily interaction
with others.
The answer is clear to me. I won’t say that I don’t
have to sometimes grit my teeth and bite my tongue while I smile and
say or do nice things for someone else. But because of God’s grace, I
try to treat others as I wish to be treated…whether they reciprocate or
not. At some point, your efforts may be noticed. The “borrower” or
“offender” may acknowledge that you treated him/her better than he/she
deserved. But either way, you will be able to say to yourself – and
most importantly, to Jesus – “I did my best to honor what You commanded.
I treated others as YOU treat me…and as I wish to be treated.”
There
are people who will hurt us...people who will borrow and never
repay…people who will disappoint us – or even break our hearts – and
then act as if nothing ever happened. Bad things will happen to “good”
people…at the hands of other people we thought were inherently “good.” How we react and respond speaks volumes about where we are as a Christian disciple. What - and WHO - are you showing to others these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label go the extra mile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label go the extra mile. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 26, 2016
Luke 3:12-14
When tax collectors came to be baptized, they asked John, “Teacher, what should we do?”
John told them, “Don’t make people pay more than they owe.”
Some soldiers asked him, “And what about us? What do we have to do?”
John told them, “Don’t force people to pay money to make you leave them alone. Be satisfied with your pay.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The children in Timothy’s Sunday school class have been studying the book of James this month – in particular, James 1:22…”But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” We have talked each Sunday about how important it is to learn what God wants for us…and to put it into action.
So as we look at these verses from James 1 and Luke 3 - and think about our own lives - we may sometimes wonder, “How will we convince people that we have really changed? What about the person who knew us ‘back in the day’…how will he/she ever believe that we are a new creature in Christ? How can we be sure that others see Jesus in our everyday living?”
The answer lies in John’s response to the tax collectors and soldiers…demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus in how you live – and how you treat others. Be doers of the Word. You have to go the extra mile, do the right thing, and conduct yourself in a manner that honors Jesus in all things.
Too many “Christians” accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation…then went right back to their old habits. They still gossip, discriminate, call people names, take bribes and overcharge. They gripe and complain about everything from their job to the weather. Their circle of friends and the influences in their lives have not changed - and neither have their attitudes. Most observers would be hard-pressed to say that any transformation has occurred in these people…that Jesus has really made any difference in their lives.
It is one thing to say, “I’ve given my heart to Jesus…but it is totally another to demonstrate this in our daily living.” The tiniest details are what will make a real difference for God’s Kingdom. We can attend worship services on Sundays and participate in weekly Bible study groups…carry our Bibles…quote scripture…do “mission work” and listen to “Christian” music.
We can wear our crosses and drive cars with bumper stickers that say, “Honk if you love Jesus.” We can post those memes on social media about loving Jesus and believing in God. But none of this makes us a true Christian disciple. If our attitude and even SOME of our actions do not line up with God’s word and will - and the teachings of Jesus – our “witness” is contaminated.
Examine your daily living – every thought, word and action. See if what you are demonstrating represents true Christian discipleship – and glorifies Jesus. Make His teachings on attitudes and actions your daily habits. If second and third graders can learn to be “doers of the Word,” surely we adults can do the same. Are you with me?
©2016 Debbie Robus
When tax collectors came to be baptized, they asked John, “Teacher, what should we do?”
John told them, “Don’t make people pay more than they owe.”
Some soldiers asked him, “And what about us? What do we have to do?”
John told them, “Don’t force people to pay money to make you leave them alone. Be satisfied with your pay.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The children in Timothy’s Sunday school class have been studying the book of James this month – in particular, James 1:22…”But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” We have talked each Sunday about how important it is to learn what God wants for us…and to put it into action.
So as we look at these verses from James 1 and Luke 3 - and think about our own lives - we may sometimes wonder, “How will we convince people that we have really changed? What about the person who knew us ‘back in the day’…how will he/she ever believe that we are a new creature in Christ? How can we be sure that others see Jesus in our everyday living?”
The answer lies in John’s response to the tax collectors and soldiers…demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus in how you live – and how you treat others. Be doers of the Word. You have to go the extra mile, do the right thing, and conduct yourself in a manner that honors Jesus in all things.
Too many “Christians” accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation…then went right back to their old habits. They still gossip, discriminate, call people names, take bribes and overcharge. They gripe and complain about everything from their job to the weather. Their circle of friends and the influences in their lives have not changed - and neither have their attitudes. Most observers would be hard-pressed to say that any transformation has occurred in these people…that Jesus has really made any difference in their lives.
It is one thing to say, “I’ve given my heart to Jesus…but it is totally another to demonstrate this in our daily living.” The tiniest details are what will make a real difference for God’s Kingdom. We can attend worship services on Sundays and participate in weekly Bible study groups…carry our Bibles…quote scripture…do “mission work” and listen to “Christian” music.
We can wear our crosses and drive cars with bumper stickers that say, “Honk if you love Jesus.” We can post those memes on social media about loving Jesus and believing in God. But none of this makes us a true Christian disciple. If our attitude and even SOME of our actions do not line up with God’s word and will - and the teachings of Jesus – our “witness” is contaminated.
Examine your daily living – every thought, word and action. See if what you are demonstrating represents true Christian discipleship – and glorifies Jesus. Make His teachings on attitudes and actions your daily habits. If second and third graders can learn to be “doers of the Word,” surely we adults can do the same. Are you with me?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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