September 23, 2011

Luke 6:32-36 NIV
“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 sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Personal Challenge...
Have you ever had someone tell you that being a Christian is for wimps? Reading a passage like this, which is Jesus speaking directly to His followers, certainly tells us that true Christianity is not for wimps. We are asked, actually commanded, to do the hard things, like love our enemies and do good to them, give out of our wealth...joyfully, forfeit our treasures (time, possessions, pride) to those who do not have, for our King. This is not a life of ease and comfort, but it is one that is full of rewards that we cannot put a price tag on.