Love Your Enemy?

27 "But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don't hold back your shirt either. 30 Give to everyone who asks from you, and from one who takes away your things, don't ask for them back. 31 Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. ~ Luke 6:27-36

All of us at one time or another have been approached by a beggar, or seen a person on a street corner with a sign describing in a few words their unfortunate position and their need for money and turned and looked the other way. We have all at one time or another cursed a person who has cut us off in traffic or been rude to us in a shopping mall. How many of us have truly been mistreated or has struck us or taken away our coat? UI do not believe that this statement from Jesus is a request for us to allow ourselves to be abused or taken advantage of, however I do believe that what Jesus is asking of us is to not judge others too quickly. We can not know where the other person is coming from unless we walk in their shoes. If we are only kind to those who are kind to us, or generous to those who are generous to us then how can we ever expect mercy to be given to us? Has there ever been a time in your life where you were having a tough go of it and a kind word or gesture from a total stranger turned your entire day around? Jesus tells us here that if we do what is good and lend and expecting nothing in return, if we love our enemies we will be sons, (and daughters) of the Most High for our Father is gracious to the ungrateful and evil just as He is to us. After all did not Jesus die for us while we are still sinners? Amen. <><