March 3, 2019
Children’s Time
Popular sayings of wisdom. Today we are going to talk about a well-known saying. There are many of them. I’m going to read the first half of the saying and see if you can finish it. If you can’t, then the adults behind me will help you, and then I’m going to read how some 1st graders finished the saying.
* This started a discussion about “a pen is something you draw with, and a pig could eat that.” Then we realized a pen could also refer to a pig pen which is stronger than the pigs because it keeps them in.
** I noted that is some cultures rain is a sign of blessing, so on those rainy wedding days, I would point that out.
*** Nearly all the children knew this phrase. Hats off to the parents… Then they asked what the 1st graders wrote, but that wasn’t part of the chart. (Thanks to Jackie-Manchester Kempke for posting this meme from Themeapicture.com.)
Now each of you has a name. I want you to yell it out all at the same time. {each yells there name – then with the adults too] Your name is a way of saying who you are. Now, let’s say someone, I don’t want you use anyone’s name, so I made one up – let’s call him Bowlefar. Bowlefar talks to a whole lot – and it makes you feel very strong -- good or bad, does that make you Bowlefar? (No!) Does it make you be like Bowlefar? (No!). That’s right, you are still you. You don’t let people change your name (change you) because they try to make you feel and act a certain way. Jesus calls us loved, and to love. Is that a good thing? (Yes.) Something we do want to be associated with our name? (Yes.) So, if Bowlefar says or does something to us that makes us feel like not loving, do we do that, or do we keep being the loving people we want to be? Jesus says, no matter how others treat us, don’t let them make you be something you are not. Love anyway. Prayer. [Then] I was going to hand out “Whatchamacallits” so as you eat them you could think, “what kind of person am I going to be” but I couldn’t find any in a “healthy” size, so instead I am going to give you three kisses…to remind us to be loving.
Bible Reading Psalm 37:1-7a,11
As we witness people who fulfill minimal expectations to others but work primarily to benefit themselves, and it seems these values breed personal success in our culture, we are tempted to follow these ways and find our own success. But the Psalmist and Luke call us to move beyond minimal expectations, to move beyond what comes easily and naturally and solely self-beneficial, and to live for God and the benefit of the all and leave the results and rewards of this faithful living in the hands of God. The Psalmist says,
{Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed! Do not envy evildoers!} Indeed, they soon will
wither like grass, and like green herbs they will fade away. Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in
the land and feed on faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of
your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; Trust him, and he will act. He will bring forth your right-
eousness as a light, and your justice as the noonday sun. Be silent in the Lord’s presence and wait
patiently for him... The [meek will inherit the land and will delight themselves in abundant peace]. {NET} ISV [CJB]
Message Luke 6:27-38
Called to Love and Give Above and Beyond the Call
This Psalm, as did Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:5ff a couple weeks ago, reminds us that despite temporary circumstances, there is great fulfillment in trusting God completely and empty futility in resorting to following worldly success patterns.
Jesus follows the same theme with an introduction of blessings and warnings in his sermon on the plain. (Luke 6:20-26). Let’s stand as we pick up his sermon from that point in Luke 6.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless
those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn
to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to
everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to
others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that
to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you,
what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect
repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in
full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything
back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is
kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and
you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will
be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together
and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured
to you.” (NIV)
Jesus is expanding on the old commandment, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:I8 (CEV)) Generally, the requirement was restricted not only to “our own people” but went beyond that and was limited only those neighbors that were “deemed worthy”. But Jesus says we are to reach out beyond worthy neighbors, beyond our “own” people, not only to enemies in abstract theory, but to personal ones who actively mistreat us.
Jesus is not saying to the world, “Feel free to take advantage of Christians. Hit us, rob us, ask for loans that you have no intention to repay because we will do nothing about it.” That is not what he is trying to say. That is not who he is talking to. He is not affirming evil activities nor is he calling us Christians to be abused doormats.
Other biblical principles of love are applied when necessary. But Jesus knows it is in our nature to get around rules by creating loopholes, by naming all the exceptions and living by them. That’s how we got to “worthy neighbors only” in the first place. He doesn’t want to undermine the expectation by arming us with exceptions. Even when exceptional actions are made, it is because it is in the best interest, love, and hope for the enemy and/or the wider good.
Love your enemies
The goal is to create healthy relationships built on genuine love exhibited by people who are called to love as God loved us in Christ. He gives examples.
Good deeds, good will and prayers
Love enemies with good deeds and good will and prayers. While we were still sinners, enemies of God, Jesus came and died for us. Good thing he didn’t and doesn’t treat us as an exception to the rule of love and grace when we violate his sensibilities. God didn’t let our bad attitudes and mistaken actions change the kind of God he is. Neither should we let others’ negative attitudes and actions determine the kind of person we are going to be. Otherwise, we may propagate the wrong rather than transform the situation. A customer in a bad mood takes it out on the business owner. The owner yells at the manager, the manager yells at the employee, the employee goes home and yells at the spouse, the spouse yells at the kids, the kids yells at the dog, the dog snarls at the cat, and the cat torments and murders the mouse, leaving three innocent and dependent pinkies orphaned -- all because a customer chose to lash out and whole series of people decided to react to how they were treated rather than bring it to an end to it by proactively being the kind of person they are called to be.
Turn the cheek
Example two is turning the other cheek. When Jesus was cross examined by the Sanhedrin, he truthfully answers the high priest’s question. A nearby official does not like the answer and so he slaps him for violating the rule, “do not… curse the ruler of your people.” (Exodus 22:28) Jesus could have stricken back, verbally if not physically, but instead asked the official what he had said that violated the rule. He simply told the truth.
It is better to defuse a situation rather than escalate it into additional opportunity for more hurt and more pain. Have you noticed in sports, that unsportsmanlike conduct is almost always called on the one who is the retaliator rather than the instigator? If we can control ourselves, we would be better off.
Give generously without expecting return
The third example is to give generously without expecting return. Paul told us to “Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands.” Tony Compolo illustrates in his book, The Power Delusion. (My information is second hand and adapted, but he still deserves a tip of the hat for the idea). People in relationships understand from 1 Corinthians 13 and Romans 13:8 (that I just quoted) that love requires commitment. Something we owe to people, we love people, it takes a lot of “work”, time and effort and energy. But unlike solid relationships that seek to outdo each other in love, too many people today seek only to collect the other person’s love debt to them rather than to pay their love debt to the other. They take advantage of the other’s good will. They expect much from the other and little of themselves because (à la today’s text – turn the other cheek, etc. etc) they think there is nothing the other can do about it, and they have them trapped. That’s not what it is supposed to be like. If that happens, the relationship becomes uneven, unhealthy, and tenuously weak. And if selfishness invades what we do with people we “love” -- then what does it mean for the fragility of the rest of our relationships?
Even before I was a pastor, people would quote scripture (and it usually had nothing to do with the topic at hand) to try and manipulate and force me to do something they wanted me to do for them. What do you do in situations like that? Ideally, each of us would react without regard to how we are treated, but on the basis of what is right to do in the situation, as the Spirit guides us.
There is a practical side to this. Just as forgiving someone who wrongs us releases us as much or more than the person being forgiven; so emotionally releasing people from indebtedness to us can do a lot toward bringing inner peace and contentment rather than the ongoing turmoil and stress of thinking about “what they didn’t do and owe us” constantly, and trying to collect or making everything even.
Jesus makes his points, then elaborates on the points by adding that if we only do what everyone does, then how does God’s love in us make any difference, make us different from anyone else? Even sinners do all that is expected for mutual repayment. And centered between the points and points elaborated is the key verse that we all know so well: Do to others as you would have them do to you.
The negative form was already well known. It had gone back hundreds of years. Don’t do anything you don’t want done to you. It is supposed to help us get into the other person’s eyes and see – if that is hurtful from their perspective, I wouldn’t want to do that to them because I wouldn’t want them to do that to me. And so we avoid unnecessarily hurting each other because we get in each other’s view points and see what is going on.
But Jesus calls for even more than that. He is saying not only, “don’t hurt each other”, he is saying if you want something from somebody, then go do that for them! It is a more proactive, more aggressive, more positive. It leads to those fun sayings like – If you want a friend – (be a friend) – right, be a friend. It requires you to do something first.
If you had a frustrating day (like our boss in the earlier illustration) and you inadvertently, or purposely, lashed out and hurt someone else, would you prefer they lashed back even harder, or that by self-control, good will, words, and action, they diffuse the situation and help settle both of your spirits? If you found yourself in a place where you owed someone, be it a favor, a financial loan, or a debt of love -- and you discover that you are in over your head, at least for now, and you cannot repay your debt -- would you prefer it be thrown in your face every time you see them… or would you prefer that they let it go, for the sake of the relationship?
Reduces chaotic conflict and encourages peace
Practical Motivations
There are practical reasons. In a hostile situation, a good-willed non-resistance, or at least a non-aggressive response may steady or even calm the storm. Kind of like -- when facing an armed robber, cooperating with rather than resisting the robber may give you a better chance of surviving the ordeal. Conflict can be better resolved through calm interactions than out of control emotional outbursts. In the first, topics are addressed in the latter, the topic is lost in favor of the personal (slap fist in hand) – “get backs” and escalations.
Appeals to each other’s humanitarianism
Another reason is that it appeals to and encourages the best in ourselves and in the other. Loving responses may startle people awake -- to their own unloving actions. If I am mean to Jake, and Jake is nice to me, then I may realize that I was mean to him and I need to make that right. It may move those who are not acting properly to encourage them to reconsider their actions. It may move them a small step from antagonism toward empathy, from con-frontation toward cooperation; and maybe even towards conversion to a different way of living. Wasn’t it President Lincoln who said, “The best way to defeat an enemy is to become their friend.” Paul wrote, “Do not be overcome by evil, [in other words, respond evil for evil] but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21(NIV))
As an extreme example, Stephen was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Opposition arose, persuading some to slander him and produced additional false witnesses about him, ultimately leading to his stoning. As they did, he prayed Jesus receive his Spirit and that the Lord not hold this sin against them. And Saul was there giving approval and continued to aggressively persecute the church -- but many think Luke included this line about witnesses laying their coats at approving Saul’s feet into the story because Luke was silently insinuating that Stephen’s non-resistant, forgiveness-seeking martyrdom planted a seed in Saul that helped prepare him for his conversion to Paul the powerful Christian missionary to the Gentiles.
Of course, in the face of evil, the practical only may work. Stephen didn’t survive, Jesus was crucified. Not everyone is converted, not even in the long run. Many remain unmoved by our loving actions -- some are even inspired to take advantage of them. Practical reasons of potential good returns are not the only reason that we do onto others as they would do onto us. They are not even the best reasons that we are motivated to love enemies.
We act like God our heavenly Father
Character reasons
We do it for theological – or for Christian character reasons as well. Jesus says we are to be children (take on the characteristics) of the Most High. We are kind and merciful to the ungrateful and wicked because that is how God is with them, and we are to be godly (take on God’s characteristics). We are full of mercy because he is mercy-full. We love our enemies because he loved us while we were his enemies, sinners.
God treats us how we treat others
Another reason is that God will treat us like we treat others -- to the measure we judge and condemn, we will be judged and condemned. To the measure we forgive we will be forgiven. We will reap bountifully from God what we sow in others…
Our reward is not based on human gains, but God’s blessings
The blessings we reap, ultimately, come not from humans but from heaven. God calls us to live not in response to how others treat us, or even how we hope they will treat us (that just helps us get the direction of what to do) -- but ultimately, we treat humans the way God has already treated us in Jesus.
These expectations are far from natural, far from cultural, and very far removed from our sinful natures. We can’t find the motivation nor the power to live this out consistently. It requires faith in God’s empowering. It is only by Christ’s Spirit in us that we can receive the strength to strive for this kind of life, the kind of life that shows that we are true believers and followers of Christ.
Let’s pray. Almighty Lord, the grace we experience in Christ does not lower the bar but heightens it considerably. The law of love in thought and action -- the life you lived on earth -- we cannot do, and certainly not on our own. So, we turn to you, the heavenly Potter, to continue to shape us into your image and love. We place ourselves into your creating and recreating hands, that in and through us, you transform us and your world into something beautiful.
Children’s Time
Popular sayings of wisdom. Today we are going to talk about a well-known saying. There are many of them. I’m going to read the first half of the saying and see if you can finish it. If you can’t, then the adults behind me will help you, and then I’m going to read how some 1st graders finished the saying.
* This started a discussion about “a pen is something you draw with, and a pig could eat that.” Then we realized a pen could also refer to a pig pen which is stronger than the pigs because it keeps them in.
** I noted that is some cultures rain is a sign of blessing, so on those rainy wedding days, I would point that out.
*** Nearly all the children knew this phrase. Hats off to the parents… Then they asked what the 1st graders wrote, but that wasn’t part of the chart. (Thanks to Jackie-Manchester Kempke for posting this meme from Themeapicture.com.)
Now each of you has a name. I want you to yell it out all at the same time. {each yells there name – then with the adults too] Your name is a way of saying who you are. Now, let’s say someone, I don’t want you use anyone’s name, so I made one up – let’s call him Bowlefar. Bowlefar talks to a whole lot – and it makes you feel very strong -- good or bad, does that make you Bowlefar? (No!) Does it make you be like Bowlefar? (No!). That’s right, you are still you. You don’t let people change your name (change you) because they try to make you feel and act a certain way. Jesus calls us loved, and to love. Is that a good thing? (Yes.) Something we do want to be associated with our name? (Yes.) So, if Bowlefar says or does something to us that makes us feel like not loving, do we do that, or do we keep being the loving people we want to be? Jesus says, no matter how others treat us, don’t let them make you be something you are not. Love anyway. Prayer. [Then] I was going to hand out “Whatchamacallits” so as you eat them you could think, “what kind of person am I going to be” but I couldn’t find any in a “healthy” size, so instead I am going to give you three kisses…to remind us to be loving.
Bible Reading Psalm 37:1-7a,11
As we witness people who fulfill minimal expectations to others but work primarily to benefit themselves, and it seems these values breed personal success in our culture, we are tempted to follow these ways and find our own success. But the Psalmist and Luke call us to move beyond minimal expectations, to move beyond what comes easily and naturally and solely self-beneficial, and to live for God and the benefit of the all and leave the results and rewards of this faithful living in the hands of God. The Psalmist says,
{Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed! Do not envy evildoers!} Indeed, they soon will
wither like grass, and like green herbs they will fade away. Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in
the land and feed on faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of
your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; Trust him, and he will act. He will bring forth your right-
eousness as a light, and your justice as the noonday sun. Be silent in the Lord’s presence and wait
patiently for him... The [meek will inherit the land and will delight themselves in abundant peace]. {NET} ISV [CJB]
Message Luke 6:27-38
Called to Love and Give Above and Beyond the Call
This Psalm, as did Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:5ff a couple weeks ago, reminds us that despite temporary circumstances, there is great fulfillment in trusting God completely and empty futility in resorting to following worldly success patterns.
Jesus follows the same theme with an introduction of blessings and warnings in his sermon on the plain. (Luke 6:20-26). Let’s stand as we pick up his sermon from that point in Luke 6.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless
those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn
to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to
everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to
others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that
to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you,
what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect
repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in
full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything
back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is
kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and
you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will
be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together
and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured
to you.” (NIV)
Jesus is expanding on the old commandment, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:I8 (CEV)) Generally, the requirement was restricted not only to “our own people” but went beyond that and was limited only those neighbors that were “deemed worthy”. But Jesus says we are to reach out beyond worthy neighbors, beyond our “own” people, not only to enemies in abstract theory, but to personal ones who actively mistreat us.
Jesus is not saying to the world, “Feel free to take advantage of Christians. Hit us, rob us, ask for loans that you have no intention to repay because we will do nothing about it.” That is not what he is trying to say. That is not who he is talking to. He is not affirming evil activities nor is he calling us Christians to be abused doormats.
Other biblical principles of love are applied when necessary. But Jesus knows it is in our nature to get around rules by creating loopholes, by naming all the exceptions and living by them. That’s how we got to “worthy neighbors only” in the first place. He doesn’t want to undermine the expectation by arming us with exceptions. Even when exceptional actions are made, it is because it is in the best interest, love, and hope for the enemy and/or the wider good.
Love your enemies
The goal is to create healthy relationships built on genuine love exhibited by people who are called to love as God loved us in Christ. He gives examples.
Good deeds, good will and prayers
Love enemies with good deeds and good will and prayers. While we were still sinners, enemies of God, Jesus came and died for us. Good thing he didn’t and doesn’t treat us as an exception to the rule of love and grace when we violate his sensibilities. God didn’t let our bad attitudes and mistaken actions change the kind of God he is. Neither should we let others’ negative attitudes and actions determine the kind of person we are going to be. Otherwise, we may propagate the wrong rather than transform the situation. A customer in a bad mood takes it out on the business owner. The owner yells at the manager, the manager yells at the employee, the employee goes home and yells at the spouse, the spouse yells at the kids, the kids yells at the dog, the dog snarls at the cat, and the cat torments and murders the mouse, leaving three innocent and dependent pinkies orphaned -- all because a customer chose to lash out and whole series of people decided to react to how they were treated rather than bring it to an end to it by proactively being the kind of person they are called to be.
Turn the cheek
Example two is turning the other cheek. When Jesus was cross examined by the Sanhedrin, he truthfully answers the high priest’s question. A nearby official does not like the answer and so he slaps him for violating the rule, “do not… curse the ruler of your people.” (Exodus 22:28) Jesus could have stricken back, verbally if not physically, but instead asked the official what he had said that violated the rule. He simply told the truth.
It is better to defuse a situation rather than escalate it into additional opportunity for more hurt and more pain. Have you noticed in sports, that unsportsmanlike conduct is almost always called on the one who is the retaliator rather than the instigator? If we can control ourselves, we would be better off.
Give generously without expecting return
The third example is to give generously without expecting return. Paul told us to “Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands.” Tony Compolo illustrates in his book, The Power Delusion. (My information is second hand and adapted, but he still deserves a tip of the hat for the idea). People in relationships understand from 1 Corinthians 13 and Romans 13:8 (that I just quoted) that love requires commitment. Something we owe to people, we love people, it takes a lot of “work”, time and effort and energy. But unlike solid relationships that seek to outdo each other in love, too many people today seek only to collect the other person’s love debt to them rather than to pay their love debt to the other. They take advantage of the other’s good will. They expect much from the other and little of themselves because (à la today’s text – turn the other cheek, etc. etc) they think there is nothing the other can do about it, and they have them trapped. That’s not what it is supposed to be like. If that happens, the relationship becomes uneven, unhealthy, and tenuously weak. And if selfishness invades what we do with people we “love” -- then what does it mean for the fragility of the rest of our relationships?
Even before I was a pastor, people would quote scripture (and it usually had nothing to do with the topic at hand) to try and manipulate and force me to do something they wanted me to do for them. What do you do in situations like that? Ideally, each of us would react without regard to how we are treated, but on the basis of what is right to do in the situation, as the Spirit guides us.
There is a practical side to this. Just as forgiving someone who wrongs us releases us as much or more than the person being forgiven; so emotionally releasing people from indebtedness to us can do a lot toward bringing inner peace and contentment rather than the ongoing turmoil and stress of thinking about “what they didn’t do and owe us” constantly, and trying to collect or making everything even.
Jesus makes his points, then elaborates on the points by adding that if we only do what everyone does, then how does God’s love in us make any difference, make us different from anyone else? Even sinners do all that is expected for mutual repayment. And centered between the points and points elaborated is the key verse that we all know so well: Do to others as you would have them do to you.
The negative form was already well known. It had gone back hundreds of years. Don’t do anything you don’t want done to you. It is supposed to help us get into the other person’s eyes and see – if that is hurtful from their perspective, I wouldn’t want to do that to them because I wouldn’t want them to do that to me. And so we avoid unnecessarily hurting each other because we get in each other’s view points and see what is going on.
But Jesus calls for even more than that. He is saying not only, “don’t hurt each other”, he is saying if you want something from somebody, then go do that for them! It is a more proactive, more aggressive, more positive. It leads to those fun sayings like – If you want a friend – (be a friend) – right, be a friend. It requires you to do something first.
If you had a frustrating day (like our boss in the earlier illustration) and you inadvertently, or purposely, lashed out and hurt someone else, would you prefer they lashed back even harder, or that by self-control, good will, words, and action, they diffuse the situation and help settle both of your spirits? If you found yourself in a place where you owed someone, be it a favor, a financial loan, or a debt of love -- and you discover that you are in over your head, at least for now, and you cannot repay your debt -- would you prefer it be thrown in your face every time you see them… or would you prefer that they let it go, for the sake of the relationship?
Reduces chaotic conflict and encourages peace
Practical Motivations
There are practical reasons. In a hostile situation, a good-willed non-resistance, or at least a non-aggressive response may steady or even calm the storm. Kind of like -- when facing an armed robber, cooperating with rather than resisting the robber may give you a better chance of surviving the ordeal. Conflict can be better resolved through calm interactions than out of control emotional outbursts. In the first, topics are addressed in the latter, the topic is lost in favor of the personal (slap fist in hand) – “get backs” and escalations.
Appeals to each other’s humanitarianism
Another reason is that it appeals to and encourages the best in ourselves and in the other. Loving responses may startle people awake -- to their own unloving actions. If I am mean to Jake, and Jake is nice to me, then I may realize that I was mean to him and I need to make that right. It may move those who are not acting properly to encourage them to reconsider their actions. It may move them a small step from antagonism toward empathy, from con-frontation toward cooperation; and maybe even towards conversion to a different way of living. Wasn’t it President Lincoln who said, “The best way to defeat an enemy is to become their friend.” Paul wrote, “Do not be overcome by evil, [in other words, respond evil for evil] but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21(NIV))
As an extreme example, Stephen was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Opposition arose, persuading some to slander him and produced additional false witnesses about him, ultimately leading to his stoning. As they did, he prayed Jesus receive his Spirit and that the Lord not hold this sin against them. And Saul was there giving approval and continued to aggressively persecute the church -- but many think Luke included this line about witnesses laying their coats at approving Saul’s feet into the story because Luke was silently insinuating that Stephen’s non-resistant, forgiveness-seeking martyrdom planted a seed in Saul that helped prepare him for his conversion to Paul the powerful Christian missionary to the Gentiles.
Of course, in the face of evil, the practical only may work. Stephen didn’t survive, Jesus was crucified. Not everyone is converted, not even in the long run. Many remain unmoved by our loving actions -- some are even inspired to take advantage of them. Practical reasons of potential good returns are not the only reason that we do onto others as they would do onto us. They are not even the best reasons that we are motivated to love enemies.
We act like God our heavenly Father
Character reasons
We do it for theological – or for Christian character reasons as well. Jesus says we are to be children (take on the characteristics) of the Most High. We are kind and merciful to the ungrateful and wicked because that is how God is with them, and we are to be godly (take on God’s characteristics). We are full of mercy because he is mercy-full. We love our enemies because he loved us while we were his enemies, sinners.
God treats us how we treat others
Another reason is that God will treat us like we treat others -- to the measure we judge and condemn, we will be judged and condemned. To the measure we forgive we will be forgiven. We will reap bountifully from God what we sow in others…
Our reward is not based on human gains, but God’s blessings
The blessings we reap, ultimately, come not from humans but from heaven. God calls us to live not in response to how others treat us, or even how we hope they will treat us (that just helps us get the direction of what to do) -- but ultimately, we treat humans the way God has already treated us in Jesus.
These expectations are far from natural, far from cultural, and very far removed from our sinful natures. We can’t find the motivation nor the power to live this out consistently. It requires faith in God’s empowering. It is only by Christ’s Spirit in us that we can receive the strength to strive for this kind of life, the kind of life that shows that we are true believers and followers of Christ.
Let’s pray. Almighty Lord, the grace we experience in Christ does not lower the bar but heightens it considerably. The law of love in thought and action -- the life you lived on earth -- we cannot do, and certainly not on our own. So, we turn to you, the heavenly Potter, to continue to shape us into your image and love. We place ourselves into your creating and recreating hands, that in and through us, you transform us and your world into something beautiful.
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