The Do's and Don'ts

This Sunday's reading is from Luke 6:27-38 in which Jesus gives us some tough do's and don'ts, 

‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the 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, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’

 I once led a Bible study, and when we got to the "love your enemies" bit, one lady objected. She did not believe she could ever do that. My response was that there are many things the God wants us to do that we don't do, and for that we beg for forgiveness in our confession. We should take it to heart that this is the very reason that we need a savior. Still, we need to keep on trying to follow Jesus' commands because if we do, we will be living as He intended, and that will be pleasing in His sight.