Do you have enemies? What does Jesus say to do to your bullies? Love them. Love them? What!? Be buddies with them? You can’t be buddies with your enemies. Well, no, probably not. But that’s not what Jesus is saying either. “Love” them. Desire what is best for them.
Jesus is not talking about friendship love. But it is agape love – not because they deserve it – love because of who I am and whose I am. I choose to be a loving person. Biblical love, godly love is a love of choice – I choose to love the unlovable.
THE CROSS LIFE RESPONDS WITH POSITIVE WORDS – 6:28:
This reaction is a verbal reaction – blessing and praying. What does it mean to “bless”? It can be a synonym for “pray” – “to ask divine favor for”; it can mean to “make happy” or to “praise”. So – give your enemy a compliment! Acknowledge those positive attributes. It is hard to hate someone who is complementing you! So bless those who curse you and…
“Pray for those who are mistreating you.” Talk to God about it. Pray for him or her to find some humility. Pray that they will treat you better. Pray that you will have the strength and courage to respond with the right attitude, that Satan will not work through your enemy and motivate you to sin too.
THE CROSS LIFE RESPONDS WITH POSITIVE ACTIONS – 6:29-30:
In other words, if someone hits you on the jaw or cheek, you don’t strike them back. Jesus is more interested in saving that person’s soul than He is about your right not to have a bruised cheek. Since Jesus is the one who created and designed us, He knows that a soft answer turns away wrath. Let God seek revenge.
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There is a saying, “Always forgive your enemies. Nothing infuriates them more.”
THE CROSS LIFE FOLLOWS THE GOLDEN RULE – 6:31:
Verse 31 is the “Golden Rule” by Luke’s account – “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”
So Jesus raises the standard as He calls us to the “cross life” – practice the golden rule. The Golden Rule is well illustrated in the movie Miracle on 34th Street when the Cole’s department store Santa Clause starts sending customers to the competitor in order to save money!
The “cross life” is truly summarized by the golden rule.
–Paul Holland
