Light in through the Fog
Ok, this morning I experienced a bit of pruning by the Holy Spirit. It came after reading the K-Love Encouraging Word for the day. The verse was Luke 6:31, it is the Golden Rule verse. When I was a kid nearly every classroom in Elementary School posted it on the wall. In a moment, I realized that this truth was one of those that I had heard so many times that it had lost its weight and significance.
I read through it quickly and dismissed it with the flippant… “everybody knows that” response and went on to look for more serious scripture… but the Lord was not going to let me off the hook.
After reading the verse. I read a few other things and then prayed for guidance and understanding as I began my Bible study. That was when I was reminded of Luke 6:31 and I read it again; this time in the ESV translation.
Luke 6:31 (ESV) 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Context
As I opened my Bible and read the passage, I noticed that it was part of a bigger command by Christ Jesus. In my ESV translation, it was under the heading ‘Love Your Enemies’, and that made me pause and read all the passage. The context of the whole passage was significant. You know single verses are catchy, and they make me feel good, but the Holy Spirit reminded me this morning that the Bible carries a powerful message that I must take care not to pick and choose these single verses but look at the context.
Luke 6:27-36
I went back and read the whole passage.
Luke 6:27-36 (ESV) Love Your Enemies
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
As I read the two paragraphs, I realized the “Golden Rule” was a transition phrase connecting the two paragraphs in this passage together. It summarizes what Jesus was saying about loving my enemies and takes me to the next thought that defines the meaning of truly loving my enemies.
Part 1 “Who do you love”
I reread verses 27-30, and it was humbling.
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.
First off, He was not speaking to everyone; only those that could hear him. If you look at Strongs hearing is not a casual half listening. It is hearing to understand. It requires paying attention with a desire to learn from the process. So, to those that were listening, he defined who to love.
Jesus listed a list that most of us struggle with loving. I know I am better at this than I was, but I have so much more to do. Jesus did not say tolerate those who hate you. He said to love them. Then He shares the Golden Rule.
Transition
Jesus closes that thought and proceeds to tell us the list of those that are included. He says in verse 31;
31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
He tugs at that emotion we have to be liked and treated with kindness, and He is very direct in telling us what to do. But in the next paragraph, He lists those whom we should include in this love list.
Part 2 “Who do you Love”
The next paragraph lists the who, how and why of this command.
Luke 6:32-36 (ESV) 32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Christ spells out how we are to set ourselves apart in how we love. It is not enough to love as the sinners do. There is nothing holy about that kind of love. That is easy. We are to love those that hate us and mean us harm. When I look at this seriously considering each piece to the command, I realize it is daunting, but Christ never leaves us hanging. He explains why we should love like this in the second half of verse 35-36.
“35b and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
What an awesome gift. If we love like this, we love as God loves us and with the mercy for others like He shows us. And we will be children of the Most High! But it did not stop there for me. I read the next passage. That passage was titled ‘Judging Others, ‘ and I am sure that Jesus did that on purpose.
Judging
I looked at that passage, and I was reminded how natural and easy it is to make a quick judgment of someone and how wrong it is to do so.
Luke 6:37-38 (ESV) Judging Others
37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
I read this a couple of times and recognized the power in this passage… the strong warning. So, I looked up “Judge” in my Strongs, and I will spare you the Greek and share what It says about the words used to define “Judge.”
g2919. κρίνω krinō; properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish: — avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
That definition is not easy to read, but after a few times through it, I realize that this judgment thing is serious. To do it is to take God’s job. The condemn and punishment job is not mine. Only God knows my heart and only can He judge me or anyone else. I am to love and forgive and share the Gospel. That is my job.
Teaching
This does not mean I ignore it when I see someone sinning. It does not mean that I ignore it when I see a Christian Brother or Sister in rebellion. Jesus tells us how to do that. Paul also defines it in several places. I think my favorite is in 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
We have a responsibility to stand on the truth. We must not be afraid to speak out when we see someone rebelling. That does not mean to tell someone to take care of it. It means to go to the person in love and discuss it with them. Jesus tells us step by step in Matthew 18:15-20 and Paul also in 1 Corinthians 5. We have an obligation to stand on the truth of God’s Word in love and confront brothers and sisters who sin against us.
Closing
As I look at these passages this morning, I know that without the Holy Spirit in me I could not possibly do any of these things as God has laid them out for me, but with God all things are possible.
I know that I cannot accomplish anything if I am not connected to Him through His Word and prayer. If I actively listen, He will guide every step I take. I am thankful for Him and His love and guidance. Praise God and to Him goes all the glory.
Prayer
Father, help me today to listen and obey. Help me that I may not take a single word or passage from Your Holy Word for granted. Help me to remember every word of scripture is “God breathed.”
Let all of them be carved in my heart. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!
Thanks for this good word from God’s Word. Remember also that we must love as He commanded us to love and throughout Scripture God gives us priorities so we can fulfill His agape love in us and through us to others. 1) Love Him with all we are; 2) Love who we are in Christ so we can love as Christ did…die to self for sake of others and; 3) Love our neighbors…and then Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (the worst of enemies in the eyes of the Jews). In the Love and Lordship events with KY Marriage Movement we walk through a priority of relationships based on God’s Word that follows this thinking and moves from marriage/spouse (if married) all the way to enemies. All of these are included in God’s Word so we can love Him by obeying His commands and loving others with His love through us!
Amen! I agree. Thank you for the additional comments. God Bless and Keep you.