Not Just Ideals
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 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 Luke 6:27-31
We’ve heard these verses so often that we’ve become numb to what they’re really saying.
Most of us treat these instructions like the impossible dream that no one is ever really meant to reach. But Jesus doesn’t see it like that. He wasn’t giving us a glorified list of do’s and don’t that we could tick off at the end of a good day, feeling pretty happy with ourselves, or feel miserable if we messed up.
What are we missing in all this? Jesus expected His disciples to act like this because that’s what God is like. He’s over-flowingly generous to everyone. He provides amazingly good things for every single person to enjoy – both to those we think deserve it and to those we’re sure don’t deserve it. He’s perfectly merciful. If you know your own heart, you’d certainly agree with that.
So if we’re God’s children and this is the sort of God we claim is the true God, it seems pretty normal for Jesus to expect us to be like this.
All religions are not the same. Only Jews and Christians believe in this God and it’s the Christians who emphasise God’s gracious generosity the most.
If the world followed the one true God and acted like Him, there would be no violence, no revenge, no uncontrolled anger. Property and possessions wouldn’t be nearly as important as making sure those around us are alright.
These aren’t just ideals. These are instructions for Christians. Treat others the way God treats you. Do it!
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