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Day 78

Luke 6:27- 36 ; Matthew 5:38-48 "AN IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND"

Day 78 – Luke 6

Text: Luke 6:27- 36 ; Matthew 5:38-48

AN IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

We are surely deeply challenged by the lofty thoughts the Lord Jesus proclaimed – “Love your enemies”! What did Jesus have in mind as He taught these truths? Let us consider two important reasons that stand out:-

1. “SONS OF THE MOST HIGH” Luke 6:35 (Matthew 5:45)

True Disciples must ever seek to remember that they are indeed “Sons of the Most High”. Sometimes, we forget what it means for us to proclaim that we are children of God. To call ourselves “sons of the Most High” involves more than just verbal confession. We must evidence the fact that we are indeed privileged to be called children of God. The context of practising love for enemies is within this rich theological background.

Jesus asked the Disciples to consider this theological question,

“But if you love those who love you,
What credit is that to you?
For even SINNERS love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you,
What credit is that to you?
For even SINNERS do the same.

And if you lend to those from whom you hope
To receive back,
What credit is that to you?
For even SINNERS lend to sinners
To receive as much back.”
Luke 6:32-34

Obviously, those who proclaim faith in God, those who follow Jesus must exhibit the fact that they are truly Disciples. If they do not learn how to love their enemies, how are they to distinguish themselves from those who are “sinners”? If the unregenerate sinner can “love, do good and lend” because at the back of their mind, they know that they will get back what they have put in, Disciples must go one better! Hence the challenge is repeated:-

“But love your enemies,
Do good, and lend,
Hoping for nothing in return;
And your reward will be great,
AND you will be SONS OF THE MOST HIGH.”
Luke 6:35

Are we truly “sons of the Most High?” Then let us seek to practise what Jesus taught His Disciples!

2. “THEREFORE BE MERCIFUL, JUST AS YOUR FATHER ALSO IS MERCIFUL” Luke 6:36

The second reason why Jesus taught His Disciples to love their enemies is to be found in this statement. It is a follow-up statement of the first principle.

If indeed we are “sons of the Most High” then we would seek to emulate our Father in Heaven. As our Father in Heaven is merciful, so He expects His children to exercise mercy to people.

If we find it hard to love the enemy, we must go back to the most fundamental and basic of all truths – “the mercy of God”. This fundamental understanding of the mercy of God is underscored many times in Old Testament literature. Let us consider a few of these proclamations:-

“And the LORD passed before him (Moses) and proclaimed;
‘The LORD, the LORD God,
MERCIFUL and gracious,
Longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
…forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…”
Exodus 34:6-7

“Through the LORD’s MERCIES
we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not,
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23

“Remember, O LORD,
Your TENDER MERCIES
and Your lovingkindnesses,
for they are from of old.”
Psalm 25:6

If indeed, we have experienced the Lord’s tender mercies, we would also feel differently towards others – even those who appear to be “enemies”. If indeed, we are “sons of the Most High” then we must ever seek to emulate the example of our Father in Heaven. Every child of God ought to practise consciousness of his Father’s Example. Then would he walk worthy of his calling as a child of God.

LET US CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR A DEEP WORK TO BE DONE IN OUR HEARTS

Understandably, many of us struggle with this lofty and difficult teaching of the Lord Jesus. Let us feel driven to cry out to God in humble prayer. Let us pray that God would teach us how we may indeed find the strength to practise what Jesus taught and emphasized… “Love your enemies” (Luke 6:27, 35).