Sometimes when reading the Bible, we come across commands and instructions that make us in our human nature question, “Wait a minute….what does that say???” And one of those sections is found in Luke chapter 6. Jesus is teaching, and he says, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 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. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:27-31)
Those verses go completely against our human nature. They go completely against even the common sense of this world we might say. Love your enemies? Do good to those who hate us?? Freely give to those who beg or ask??? We almost have to read that section a few times to let it sink in. However, those are the exact teachings of our Lord! We would most likely have no problem if He said, “Love those who love you!” And Jesus addresses that in the next verses, “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 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. 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. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:32-36)
The Christian life is not to follow the thoughts and ways of the world, but rather to live a life that shows the love of God even through our words and actions. We need only look at Jesus hanging on the cross, dying a painful death, and declaring “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) He didn’t say “Father, send down fire from heaven and destroy these people!” He loved those who hated Him, those who mocked Him, and those who killed Him.
We look at these words of Jesus Christ and say “I can’t do that!” And we are correct…we can’t apart from Jesus Christ. But, the closer we walk with Him, the more His strength and power to do whatever He commands becomes evident in our lives, and the more we begin to become what a true Christian should be.