LOVE THE UNDESERVING

Text: Luke 6:27-36

Love the undeserving. Love the unlovable. Love your haters. Love your enemies. This is Jesus' command to us, his disciples, today. It is one of the most difficult commands he has ever given us you would agree with me. But, He means every single word he says there. He lived it. So he expects us to live it out too. For this is the pattern of the lifestyle we've accepted when we decide to walk with him. This is the precept Paul preached in Romans 12:9-21. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good".

Here's the outline:

*love your enemies

*do good to those who hate you

*bless those who curse you

*pray for those who ill treat you

*turn the other cheek when struck on one

*give also your tunic to one who takes your cloak

*love without expecting anything in return

He says when we do all these our reward will be great in heaven. To many people, even Christians, this teaching is absurd and ridiculous. This is because it negates everything nature, self and society teach. However, as Christians we are actually "abnormal" meaning we are above normal and expected to be above board. We are called to freedom from the baggage of self life. Self life is selfish. It seeks its own good and benefit only. Jesus' love seeks the greater good even at his own personal detriment. Hence He left heavenly glory and splendour to come live a lowly life that the world might be saved. At his death He left an example. "Forgive them father for they know not what they do". Those who persecute us, really, are like Paul on a raiding mission to Damascus. When he encountered the LIGHT, the scales fell off his eyes and he saw his folly. This is why Jesus wants us to love and pray for those who attack us. That we may depopulate hell and increase heaven. 

PRAYER: Father, we know the truth and wisdom  of your word, we only lack the genuine willingness, conviction and strength to put it to work. As we study it afresh today, grant us a renewed strength to walk accordingly. We ask in Jesus name. Amen!